In-depth look at K-9 officer Dallas at Dona Ana County Detention Center

The members of the Special Operations Group are not the only ones who go through extensive training at the Done Ana County Detention Center. Their newest member, K-9 officer Dallas, went through two years of intense training before joining the team.

“Seventy percent of K-9’s who go through the program won’t make it,” Capt. Joseph Garcia said.

Jail administrator Chris Barela said in the last six months there have been at least seven instances where correctional officers had to be treated for injuries. He hopes Dallas will offset that.

“The inmates that are a little harder to reach and harder to de-escalate with people act differently and respond better to an animal,” Barela said.

Dallas not only subdues inmates, he also leads officers to hidden contraband. Officers said confiscating just one drug with the help of Dallas, takes away an inmate’s power.

“That can be used to buy other drugs other paraphernalia,” Garcia said. “It’s a motivator for others to do violence towards someone else.”