It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Wednesday March 18, 2026.
Sergeant White began a partnership with the Belgian Malinois Khan about 6 months ago. White is the K9 officer in the Palmer Police Department.
White had the goal of becoming a K9 officer. He helped as a decoy or assisted in exercises in canine training to prepare. He applied to be a K9 officer when the opportunity arose. He was accepted. The rest, as they say, is history.
Khan had already received preliminary training. White’s training with Khan took place in Alabama. They underwent a six-week intensive program. The pair worked daily to reach operational standards in tracking and drug detection.
White notes that Khan is a single-purpose police dog. Dual-purpose dogs are trained in both detection and apprehension. Detection involves detection of things like drugs. Apprehension involves bite work. Single-purpose dogs focus on detection and sometimes tracking.
Officer White chose single-purpose training for a reason. Our area has several dual-purpose dogs. We lacked a dog dedicated to tracking without the risks associated with a bite-trained police dog. Khan was not trained to apprehend suspects. He can safely search for lost children or missing persons. This task is risky with a bite-trained dog.
Khan is about two years old. He is highly energetic and driven. White says Kahn doesn’t have an off switch. White began working with Khan when the dog was around a year and a half old. The two live together full-time. This strengthens their bond and improves communication in the field. While Khan can tolerate others holding his leash, he primarily responds to commands from White.
Khan has already contributed to numerous drug detections, particularly through vehicle sniffs. White and Khan are training for full tracking operations. They haven’t worked on any active cases yet. White notes that Alaska’s extreme cold presents challenges for tracking work, especially compared to the warmer climate where Khan was trained. Despite this, Khan is adapting and seems to enjoy the snow more than the heat of Alabama.
Khan is socialized and gets along well with other dogs despite his intensity while working, including those in White’s home.
This balance between high drive and controlled behavior is essential for a working police dog.
Khan is a specialized, highly trained asset whose role extends beyond traditional police dog expectations. White’s work with him is primarily in detection and community safety, particularly through drug enforcement. White and Khan have the potential to assist in search-and-rescue operations.
We interviewed Sergeant White last week. The recording is on bigcabbageradio.org under podcasts then Inside the City.
Included in the Friday Night List of Fun is the nationally recognized acapella singing group Ball in the House. Join the Palmer Arts Council and Alaska Junior Theater for a night of amazing singing, dancing, and even beatboxing in the Colony High theater. Buy tickets at palmerarts.org.
But wait, there’s more on Friday. Blackwater Railroad returns to the Palmer Alehouse. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. This is a family friendly show. If you miss the Friday show, there’s a second show on Saturday.
One of our favorite radio shows on Thursdays is Milk Street Radio. It is hosted by Chris Kimball and Sara Moulton and features guests from the top of the food world. It airs at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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This Page Two article was written by Mike Chmielewski and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday March 18, 2026.