Not Just Another Working Class Dog
"Properly trained, a Man Can be Dog's Best Friend."- author unknown
When staff often reflect upon the CCA's Guiding Principles of Loyalty, Integrity, Trust and Respect, they hopefully will have a vision of their facility leaders, most notably their Warden, their supervisors, and mentors that they look up to everyday, but also what they hope to mirror to others. When I think of these Four Guiding Principles I cannot discount a very important member of our team at MCJII that epitomizes these very important characteristics, and that member happens to be our K-9 unit, Lizzie.
Lizzie, a Belgian Malinois, has been with the Marion County Jail II since August of 2004 and is trained to search and seek out narcotics in the facility. It was just recently discovered that Lizzie will not be able to perform all the duties that she loves and lives her life for because she was diagnosed with an eye disease that is going to eventually lead her to total blindness. She will be retired of her duties very soon, and we will all be left with a void in our facility and in our hearts for this dog that has been a valued colleague and fine member of our staff. There will not be a day that goes by that her presence will not be felt within these jail walls. Lizzie's legacy will never die at MCJII.
Lizzie has been LOYAL to her handlers, the staff, and the company by being here every day to ensure the safety of the facility by searching out drugs to the best of her ability that causes a security threat to inmates and staff. She has also brought the facility attention and respect from other members of the community by being a partner to assist in drug searches with government agencies in Marion County.
She demonstrates RESPECT by being a presence for other staff as she goes through the day and carries out her duties with due diligence and the staff look at her with great pride and a feeling of joy.
She demonstrates INTEGRITY by always following through on what she has to do and represents our facility with pride. Lizzie has the staff's trust and admiration and she was even nominated for Employee of the Month.