Police K9 Radio

Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman

Police K9 Radio is hosted by Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman. Gregg has 22 years of law enforcement experience, 15 of which were as a K9 handler. Gregg is also the owner of D-Tac K9 and is the trainer for 21 law enforcement agencies. Rich has 15 years of K9 handling experience and is a trainer for D-Tac K9. Together they will be interviewing some of the top trainers and experts in the police K9 community and will be sharing their insight and experiences with you.

  1. 07/24/2025

    K9 Leo: A hero remembered - Interview with Handler Justin Tortora

    In this episode, we sit down with Corporal Justin Tortora of the Marion County Sheriff's Office to discuss the life, loss, and legacy of his partner, K9 Leo, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois who made the ultimate sacrifice on February 17, 2024, during a domestic call in Silver Springs, Florida. This heartfelt conversation dives into the incident that claimed Leo's life, the unbreakable bond between handler and K9, and critical lessons for canine handlers and trainers. What You'll Learn: The Incident: Leo was shot while protecting Justin and other deputies during a confrontation with an armed suspect, who fired at them. Despite wearing a bulletproof vest, Leo was struck in an unprotected area and fought for his life at UF Veterinary Hospital before passing days later. Justin shares how their training prepared them for that moment and how Leo's bravery saved lives. Handler-K9 Bond: Justin opens up about the unique loyalty and trust built over thousands of hours of training, from Leo's FDLE K9 certification in February 2021 to their daily partnership. He reflects on Leo's role not just as a working dog but as family. Training Takeaways: Insights on preparing for high-risk encounters, including tactical decision-making, canine control under extreme stress, and the importance of scenario-based training to handle violent situations. Emotional Resilience: Justin discusses the emotional toll of losing a K9 partner and how handlers can process grief while continuing their work. Key Moments:  Justin's recounting of the chaotic February 17 shootout and Leo's fearless response. - Practical tips for handlers on maintaining situational awareness and K9 readiness. - A tribute to Leo's courage, with reflections on his impact both on-duty and at home with Justin's family. This episode is a must for handlers and trainers seeking to understand the real-world stakes of K9 work. Justin's raw perspective offers actionable insights into training, teamwork, and the emotional realities of the job, honoring Leo's sacrifice while equipping you to better prepare for the potential realities of being a K9 handler. Thank you to our sponsors: Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com Inukshuk Performance Dog food - INUKSHUKPRO.com Black Jacks Leather - BlackJacksleather.com Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email: Trainers@Dtack9.com

    1h 5m
  2. 07/13/2025

    From Police Work to Entrepreneurship: Aaron Taylor's Journey with Ridgeside K9

    In this episode of Police K9 Radio, we sit down with Aaron Taylor, a nationally recognized leader in the dog training world and the founder of Ridgeside K9 LLC. Aaron is a prior Infantry Marine Sergeant with a 100% combat-disabled rating. Leveraging the Yellow Ribbon Program, he attended The George Washington University, earning degrees in both the Science of Policing and Psychology. Following his military service, Aaron spent 16 years with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, retiring in 2018 while assigned full-time to K9 on a full-time SWAT team. Over the course of his career, he served 14 years in special operations and investigations, including time in Narcotics, SWAT, and K9. Aaron is also recognized as a certified expert in the 4th district, having testified in both state and federal court. He has been featured on national platforms such as The Dr. Phil Show and on numerous podcasts, where he encourages, mentors, and helps finance law enforcement and military veterans as they transition into entrepreneurship. After stepping away from policing due to growing conflict with administration and declining community support, Aaron leaned into his lifelong passion for dog training. What began as a small venture quickly grew into Ridgeside K9 LLC—now one of the nation's most recognized and fastest-growing dog training companies. In this episode, Aaron opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of leaving law enforcement, building a business from scratch, and what it takes to create a mission-driven company. He emphasizes the importance of mastering your role in law enforcement while also developing skills outside the badge—so you're ready for the next chapter when it comes. We also talk about Aaron's mission to employ and empower former military and police professionals, giving them not only jobs, but purpose and opportunity. His journey is a blueprint for others in the K9 and law enforcement communities who are ready to build something of their own.  Topics Covered: Why Aaron left law enforcement after 16 years Founding Ridgeside K9 and scaling a dog training business Navigating burnout and lack of administrative support Creating a mission-driven company that supports police and veterans Advice for officers: build skills beyond the badge Follow Aaron Taylor & Ridgeside K9: Instagram: @ridgesidek9_llc Thank you to our sponsors: Ray Allen Mfg. - Rayallen.com Inukshuk Performance Dog food - INUKSHUKPRO.com Black Jacks Leather - BlackJacksleather.com Sauna Box - Saunabox/k9.com Key word "K9" for discount Connect with Us: Instagram: @policek9radio663 Email: Trainers@Dtack9.com

    1h 55m
4.8
out of 5
174 Ratings

About

Police K9 Radio is hosted by Gregg Tawney and Rich Hartman. Gregg has 22 years of law enforcement experience, 15 of which were as a K9 handler. Gregg is also the owner of D-Tac K9 and is the trainer for 21 law enforcement agencies. Rich has 15 years of K9 handling experience and is a trainer for D-Tac K9. Together they will be interviewing some of the top trainers and experts in the police K9 community and will be sharing their insight and experiences with you.

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