ANNOUNCER: The
Officer Stan Balmer was once a special education teacher.
But after the tragic events of 9/11,
he was inspired to join the force to protect his community.
It's Team Hunter.
My name's Stan Balmer.
I work for the [inaudible] Red Bank police department.
This is my partner, canine Hunter.
He's a six-year-old Belgian Malnois.
I've been with him about four years now.
Before I was a police officer, I was a physical education
special education teacher.
After 9/11, I did see what the first responders
did on the scene, and also in my community.
I started gaining interest in law enforcement.
I just really liked helping the community.
He's my best friend at work.
And we're together all time.
Just love him.
He's just a great dog.
He's one of dogs-- he's kind of like me.
He's nice until it's time not to be nice.
But at the same time, he's tough enough where he can stop
the bad guys on the street.
We got the big cop.
We got the big dog.
We're going to take the big win.
ANNOUNCER: Up first, it's Team Hunter.
[beeping]
Team Hunter gets us going.
Push.
ANNOUNCER 1: Whoa, he takes down the 135
pound door in the first shot.
I think that floppy ear makes him more aerodynamic.
Now it's through the window into spiderweb.
Being a big guy, 6' 2", over 300 pounds,
this may be more of a challenge for him than it is for the dog,
Hunter.
Down.
ANNOUNCER 2: They made their way through the webs,
and they're onto low crawl.
Here.
Down.
ANNOUNCER: Smooth through low crawl.
Up.
ANNOUNCER: And they're quick up the boxes.
Here.
ANNOUNCER: They climb through there easily.
They're making pretty good time here
as they get to the ductwork.
Jump.
ANNOUNCER 2: Oh, he popped out right there.
He's got to get back in and finish through the third piece
of ductwork.
ANNOUNCER 1: Yeah, there's separation between each
of the steel tubes.
And the dogs have to go from start to finish.
Jump.
ANNOUNCER 1: This is going to cost him some time.
Out.
ANNOUNCER 1: Can they make it up one door breach?
ANNOUNCER 2: Right there.
Beautiful.
And they get through door number one.
ANNOUNCER 1: All right, so one more door to go.
And then it's back downstairs.
Very quick.
They make up some time.
Now it's back down to ground level for the takedown.
They need to apprehend the suspect,
release, and cross the finish line to stop the clock.
ANNOUNCER 2: About 200 pounds of bite force.
42 teeth.
Heel.
ANNOUNCER 2: There's the out.
And there's the finish.
Good boy.
ANNOUNCER 2: Phenomenal out.
Overall, an amazing run for this team.
ANNOUNCER 1: A great time by Team Hunter
to start off this final round to help us determine
who tonight's top dog will be.
Our final competitors are getting ready for their run.
From the Morris County Sheriff's Office in New Jersey,
it's Team Kai.
My name is Mike McMahon.
I'm a corporal with the Morris County Sheriff's
Office located in New Jersey.
And this is my partner canine Kai.
He's a three-year-old Belgian Malnois.
I started as a dog trainer.
Canine Kai's father, Ronan, was my first patrol dog.
Prior to coming into law enforcement,
he was my competition dog.
So we had to retire him early.
We then decided to pursue breeding Ronan.
And then we got canine Kai.
He's one of a kind.
Kai and I have an awesome bond.
He was raised with me.
I've been pretty much the center of his world
since he was eight weeks old.
Training an eight week old puppy is a lot different
than training a 1 and 1/2 or 2-year-old green dog,
like most law enforcement officers experience.
An older dog, sometimes they learn faster.
But with a younger dog, it might take a little bit longer.
But we have a better product in the end.
Kai, do you think you're America's next top dog?
[kai barking]
We are our Team Kai, and we came here
to dominate the competition.
ANNOUNCER 1: OK, the time to beat
is 2 minutes 46.13 seconds.
Ready?
Kai.
[beeping]
Heel.
ANNOUNCER 1: And here they go.
Remember, Team Kai in round one set the all-time record.
And we will see if they can do it again here in round three.
They're off to a fast start.
And already through the window.
ANNOUNCER 2: It's hard to take my eyes off them.
They're going through so fast so far, Kurt.
And I feel like if I take my eye away for anything,
they'll be finished with the course.
Kai's flying.
And Corporal McMahon is working hard to keep up.
ANNOUNCER 1: Yeah, they're on to the low crawl.
And they're just 20 seconds into this.
Down.
ANNOUNCER 2: Great to see Kai slowing down, stopping,
waiting for Corporal McMahon.
Again, beautiful display of teamwork.
ANNOUNCER 1: They're at the second level
in less than 30 seconds.
ANNOUNCER 2: What an amazing run.
Unless they really get caught up here on the ductwork--
Through.
ANNOUNCER 2: --it's going to be an incredible run
for them both, Kurt.
Good boy. Here.
ANNOUNCER 1: OK, they did not get caught up on the ductwork.
So now it's onto the door breach.
Less than a minute into this thing.
I can't even go through the doors that fast.
They are flying through this course.
Now is down the stairs.
They've got a great shot at the record.
Now, it's a matter of getting the apprehension
and releasing from the suspect.
Kai, heel.
ANNOUNCER 1: There's the release.
Back over to the start finish line.
And there.
ANNOUNCER 2: Wow!
ANNOUNCER 1: A new record here again.
And they've won the battle of the Garden State.
Good boy, buddy.
Good job, bud.
ANNOUNCER 2: They left me speechless in round one.
I didn't think they would leave me speechless
again leaving round three.
What an incredible job for them and the Morris County Sheriff's
Office.