When Scout first joined the Gorham Police Department, he was more than a little wet under the nose at just a year old.

“He wasn’t even housebroken,” his longtime partner and handler, Detective Sears Edwards, recalled this week.

As he entered the regional K9 competition for police dogs this month, not only was he housebroken, he also was patrol and narcotics certified and an imposing 72 pounds. Even though Scout took several awards, the competition was bittersweet for Edwards and his canine companion because, after seven years on the force, Scout is retiring this year, despite having two good years left in him.

It seems as though Scout may be just another victim of the down economy, his early retirement forced by Gorham’s tight municipal budget this year.

In June budget talks, town councilors approved filling one vacancy for a police officer at about $44,000, but the police budget didn’t include $7,300 to keep Scout on duty, costs that included veterinary care, food, training, use of a cruiser and overtime pay.

“It’s just sad to see the program cut, especially with a lot of time and effort put in,” Edwards said.

The Gorham Police Department acquired Scout for $3,500 and paid for his special kennel in a cruiser with a $5,000 grant from Hannaford. Edwards said a replacement dog would now run $4,500 and certification could take up to six months.

Scout will end his career with more than a few accomplishments under his collar. He once netted $10,000 in drug seizure money. In another case, Scout located a teenager missing from a group home.

Last November, Edwards and Scout tracked a suspect, who fled into the dense woods near the University of Southern Maine campus, after police had nabbed two others suspected in a home burglary. In a wild chase through rural terrain, Edwards fell, fracturing a fibula bone in one of his legs. Despite the injury, he maintained control of Scout, who was on a long lead.

“Stop or I’ll send the dog, and he will bite,” Edwards shouted at the fleeing suspect.

The suspect heeded Edwards’ command and stopped. Edwards said the suspect told another officer that he would have run, if it hadn’t been for the dog.

“Over the years, they’ve been a valuable asset to the town,” Police Chief Ron Shepard said of Edwards and Scout.

The unit has been called to assist other police departments, too. Lt. John Kilbride of the Falmouth Police Department said Edwards and Scout worked whether in the rain or in tick-infested terrains.

“I worked with Detective Edwards for many years,” Kilbride said. “They always did an excellent job.”

Edwards said Scout was well utilized and was at times the only police dog available when called upon by neighboring communities. Scout found cocaine hidden on a South Portland suspect’s body. In another out-of-town case, Scout was relentless and stayed on a suspect’s trail, which began in Scarborough, and continued across the interstate highway into South Portland, where the suspect was finally arrested.

There were more glamorous moments in his career. Edwards would often take Scout to Gorham schools to greet students.

But he wasn’t always there as an ambassador. Scout would sometimes do drug searches at Gorham High School.

Principal Chris Record said the Gorham School Department would continue drug searches even though Scout has retired. This year the school will rely more heavily on state police canines that have also been used in the past at the high school.

“We appreciate the Gorham Police Department’s support over the years,” Record said.

Scout was scheduled to retire July 1 at the beginning of the new fiscal year, but Shepard allowed Edwards to keep him on for the regional competition of the U.S. Police Canine Association, hosted by the Falmouth Police Department. The team performed well, despite not being able to train much, because Edwards was sidelined by an injury and a death in his family.

Scout took second place for search, third for obedience and fourth in overall performance. In team competition, Scout and K9s from Westbrook and Lincoln County placed third.

Retirement will not separate the team of Edwards and Scout. Now 8, Scout will be living out his retirement years at Edwards’ home.

“He’s a really good dog,” said Edwards.

Gorham police dog Scout shows off for his handler, Detective Sears Edwards, at the conclusion of the U.S. Police Canine Association’s Region 9 competition in Falmouth last week.
Photo by Rich ObreyAt 72 pounds, Scout is a much more imposing German Shepard than we he started on the force seven years ago.
Photo by Rich Obrey