Introducing Officer Jenika Workman and Rippin: West Jordan’s Newest K9 Duo

Jenika Workman is West Jordan Police Department's newest K9 officer with partner Rippin. By April, she and Rippin will be narcotics-search-ready.

Rippin is a 14-month-old Dutch Shepherd from the Netherlands. Workman and Sergeant Michael Jones chose him from Vohne Liche Kennels West in late February. For the first few weeks, Rippin will bond with Workman at home. He'll ride along to patrol calls in her truck, but most of their time together will be their hundreds of hours of training.

West Jordan has a high standard when choosing a K9. They want a dog with a high toy drive. "When they see that toy, everything else disappears for them," Jones said. They also want a dog that has no fear when it comes to the unknowns, whether it be surfaces like concrete, tile or metal flooring. They need to show no restraint in tight or small spaces. Many West Jordan dogs are either German or Dutch Shepherds, or Malinois, but the breed, gender or size is much less important than the need for high energy and determination, bordering on stubbornness, to get their toy.

Workman has spent the last 18 months preparing to handle the high standards of training an police dog. She went to K9 training, stood as a lookout for the human officer so they could keep an eye on their own dog, and suited up as the target to be bitten and searched for to train the dogs.

While many officers may say they would like to work with a K9, not everyone is given the chance. Jones said that Workman was at the "top of his list because of her work ethic" and her "commitment to come in and show a dedication to something that she wanted to learn."

Unlike a patrol assignment, K9 duty cannot be "clocked-out" of. A highly trained animal requires 24-hour care and supervision. Workman proved herself capable and equal to the task. She admits that the "K9 officers are the coolest," but that the recognition isn't her primary drive. "The longer I've been in this profession, I realize I have the rare opportunity that when people call 911, it's usually the worst day of their lives," Workman said. "I get to be that kind face that they see."

Workman is also in a unique position in the department. As the first and only female K9 officer for the West Jordan Police Department, she exposed a hidden gap.

"I saw my work and dedication paying off when PSD Echo bit a female and she engaged with that female," Workman said. Sometimes, K9s pause with female suspects. It's possible that because they normally train with men, they aren't used to a woman's smell. With Workman as a trainer and a handler, the dogs have become more comfortable with women. "I'm helping with these dogs and seeing it benefit us on the road is very satisfying," she continued. "They're going to be safe out there with their dogs, their dogs are going to be safe and engaged."

By Erin Dixon