Springfield K-9 competition opens to public at Silke Field

Springfield’s police dogs stepped into the spotlight at Silke Field as the Springfield Police K-9 Unit opened its annual competition to the public, turning a specialized law-enforcement drill into a free afternoon event for Lane County families. The showcase at Springfield High School ran from noon to 3 p.m. and gave spectators a close look at what the region’s working dogs are trained to do.

Handlers and dogs from across the area competed in agility, area search, handler protection, fastest dog and suspect apprehension. Those events showed the range of skills the unit uses beyond patrol calls, from speed and obedience to controlled searches and apprehension work. Springfield School Resource Officers Matt Newton and Allan Amundson served as master of ceremonies, helping guide the crowd through the competition.

The event also served a practical purpose for the department. T-shirts, hats and other Springfield K-9 Unit merchandise were sold on site, and volunteers from Springfield High School ran the concession stands. Proceeds from food and apparel sales went toward the Springfield Police Department K-9 Unit’s equipment and training, part of the unit’s ongoing reliance on community support.

That connection to the public has long been part of Springfield’s K-9 program. The City of Springfield says the unit traces back to 1981, after an earlier proposal and study that began in the mid-1970s. The program expanded to a four-dog unit in 1984 and is certified by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. The city also says community donations help pay for veterinary care, equipment, training and the purchase of the dogs themselves.

Officer and K-9 handler Connor O’Leary has said the department wants to use the competition to open that work up to residents. “We want to increase transparency,” he said, adding that the department also wants to “educate people on what it is we do with our dogs.” That message was underscored by the turnout of regional agencies that have participated in past competitions, including teams from across the Pacific Northwest.

A 2024 competition drew about a dozen K9-handler pairings, showing how the Springfield event has grown into more than a department demonstration. For anyone deciding whether to stop by Silke Field, the appeal was twofold: a free, family-friendly outing and a practical look at how Springfield’s K-9 teams train for public-safety work.