Wayne W. Conrad

Correctional Sergeant Wayne W. Conrad stationed at the Richard A. McGee Training Center was presented with a Distinguished Service Medal by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for developing the Canine Contraband Program. Conrad, a certified K-9 instructor, obtains dogs from rescue shelters at a low cost to taxpayers and trains them at the Galt, Calif.-based facility. All of the canines are trained to detect cell phones, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines and tobacco. Each dog in the program is under the care and mentoring of Sgt. Conrad and must successfully pass the department’s stringent 160-hour detection curriculum to be considered four-legged Peace Officers.