Mike West - GSDCA-WDA JUDGE
Princeville, IL

I am a retired police officer, having worked for the City of Peoria, Il Police Department. During my 25 1/2 year career, I was a member of the K-9 Unit for 14 years, having three dogs during that time. "Spike" earned the USPCA PD 2 title, while "Schoen vom Bauernhof Im Wald" and "Bingo vom Hasenborn" earned their SchH 3 titles while working the street. "Bingo" was the first American "street dog" to compete in the USA National SchH 3 Championships in St. Louis, MO in 1981. "Schoen" had qualified in 1977, but was injured on duty and retired. From 1979 until 1997, I was the training officer for the K-9 Unit. In 1994 I helped the PPD training office integrate the K-9 Unit into the department's "Use of Force Continuum" policy. In 2002, I competed with my personal dog, "Enno von der Schaefereiche", SchH 3, IPO 3, FH at the GSDCA-WDA Nationals.

I bought my first gsd in 1965 and did obedience training with him. I became a police officer in 1969 and was taken into the K-9 Unit in 1971, remaining as an active handler intil 1985. Since leaving the K-9 Unit I have trained and titled eight other dogs from CGC to SchH 3, IPO 3, FH, depending upon when I got them. Four of my dogs have also been trained in narcotic odor detection.

I was a member of one of the founding clubs of the United SchH Clubs of America, entering the sport in 1973.

I formed my own club in 1979, presently named the Central Illinois Police and Working Dog Association.

The Credentials of Judge Mike West include:

• Licensed as a SchH judge in 1985
• Recieved my DPO/WPO/VSK license in 1987
• Accepted a licence to judge for the GSDCA-WDA in 2001
• Director of Trials and Judges for the GSDCA-WDA
• GSDCA-WDA Teaching Helper, as well as an active Certified Club Level Helper
• named a Working Dog Sport Judge by the American Kennel Club in 2007, and was proud to judge the Innaugural Cup WDS Championships at the GSDCA National Specialty in Loveland, CO
• Over the years, I have judged hundreds of trials at the club, regional, and national levels in both Sport and Police Dog trials in the UnitedStates.
• Judged the National SchH Championships in Australia and given seminars and judged in New Zealand.
  
  My wife, Lucy, and I live on five acres just east of the little village of Princeville, IL with our dogs, "Brik" and "Enno". We've been blessed with eight children, twenty-four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren - so far. Our "nest" is empty, but always full for holidays and get-togethers.