K9’S AND DUIS: SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRD BISHOP COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY

By: Tyler Beadle

BISHOP, CA –
On October 9, 2025, the second session of the Third Bishop Community Police Academy brought eye-opening insights to our nine-student class. Led by Sergeant Scobie, the evening featured a K-9 demonstration by Inyo County Sheriff’s Sergeant Noonan and a CHP presentation on DUIs and crash investigations by CHP Officer Perusse.

First up was Sergeant Noonan’s K-9 unit showcase, joined by ICSO Bartlett with K-9 Ason and decoy ICSO Dummer. Noonan’s slideshow detailed the unit’s operations, from sourcing dogs through Europe’s Adlerhorst to their rigorous training. These aren’t cheap partners, but their impact is undeniable: K-9 units search four times faster and far more accurately than human-only teams, a game-changer for our small town. The live demo was incredible—Feit and Ason sniffed out hidden drugs and cleared rooms with precision, showcasing their vital role in keeping our community safe.

Next, CHP Officer Perusse delivered a compelling presentation on DUIs, traffic stops, and crash investigations. He introduced two volunteers who’d been drinking since 5 p.m., sharing their blood alcohol levels and drink counts to illustrate safe limits. A key takeaway: one average drink raises BAC by about 0.02% (normal beer), but the liver only clears 0.015% per hour. Eating before drinking helps, he noted, alongside tips like pulling over if you feel impaired. A video of a slurring DUI suspect showed how chaotic arrests can be, and Perusse shared that New Year’s weekend sees the most DUIs locally. He also informed us about CHP’s MAIT division, which investigates major crashes, via a detailed YouTube video. The slide show was very informative and the videos that were added made it even more engaging. Questions flew, and Perusse answered with clarity.

The class wrapped just after 9:15 p.m., packed with knowledge. I’m thrilled to be part of this and can’t wait for more sessions. For details on the Bishop Police Department or future classes, contact them directly. Questions about my article? Email [email protected] for feedback or any comments.