K9 Spotlight: Benjy Partain & Chip

Benjy Partain & Chip
Electronics Detection Canine

K-9 Chip is a 3-year-old half Labrador and half Golden Retriever trained in electronic scent detection by Jordan Detection K-9 in Indiana. Chip was donated to our agency, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, by the non-profit Defenders for Children. Chip is the first K-9 of any discipline for our agency and the first electronic detection K-9 for any state probation and parole agency in the nation. Chip and I became certified in November 2022, and since then have conducted 245 searches, located 740 devices, and he is responsible for 28 individuals now facing new charges, including Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), Distribution of CSAM, Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and other similar offenses. Our agency supervises over 900 active sex offenders throughout South Carolina, and Chip is responsible for identifying 141 violations of their supervision.

Chip and I assist numerous local, state, and federal agencies throughout our state and surrounding states. Chip is also certified as a therapy dog and brings so many smiles not only to the investigators in the ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) team throughout South Carolina but also to our agents with SCDPPPS. Chip has not only been a blessing to me but to our state as a whole with his tireless work. Chip is a food-reward dog and is trained at least twice a day, every day. To the best of my knowledge, Chip is responsible for helping to rescue one live victim that we are aware of.

Chip and I assisted a local ICAC Task Force team in a South Carolina county during a search warrant. The location was in terrible condition, so much so that the Department of Social Services had to be called in afterward due to the poor living conditions with minor children present. The ICAC investigators searched the camper, which was being used as the suspect's residence, but were unable to locate anything initially. Chip was requested to search to see if any evidence could be found to assist in the investigation. Chip alerted and indicated on a drawer in the bedroom section of the camper and was rewarded for his find. Further investigation produced three cell phones belonging to the suspect, which contained evidence of ongoing child sexual abuse of his own stepdaughter. This allowed him to be charged not only with CSAM violations but also with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor.

When I was informed of this, I felt so happy and honored to have played such an important role in our state, knowing that all the training every day was worth it because this small child would never have to endure such horrors again and could begin her journey to healing. I have the best job there is as Chip's handler, and we look forward to continuing our work throughout South Carolina and wherever else the need arises.

Their Gear: Chip has a couple of harnesses from Ray Allen, along with leashes and bowls, and we are very impressed with the quality of the gear and the mission that Ray Allen carries out to assist K-9s around the world.

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