Sheriff’s Agent and K9 Sidekick Comfort, Aid Children

By  //  August 1, 2013

'Primus' world's most unique looking police dog

Agent Jessie Holton and the therapy dog Primus are an inseparable tandem who work with our most precious victims, children that have become victims of abuse and neglect. Both operating through BCSO to assist the victims recovery in any way they can. (Brevard Sheriff image)
Agent Jessie Holton and the therapy dog Primus are an inseparable tandem who work with our most precious victims, children that have become victims of abuse and neglect. Both operating through BCSO to assist the victims recovery in any way they can. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — I wanted to update everyone on a outstanding program created by our own Agent Jessie Holton.

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Primus the dog, above, who very well may be the world’s most unique looking police dog, what he lacks in looks he makes up for with personality, is a therapy dog and the most integral part of “Operation Qualter,” named after our dear friend Lt Mike Qualter who passionately advocated for children during his entire career before passing away in 2011. (BCSO image)

The program was developed to help assist victims of crime during their most difficult times.

“Primus,” who very well may be the world’s most unique looking police dog, what he lacks in looks he makes up for with personality, is a therapy dog and the most integral part of “Operation Qualter,” named after our dear friend Lt Mike Qualter who passionately advocated for children during his entire career before passing away in 2011.

Jessie and Primus are an inseparable tandem who work with our most precious victims, children that have become victims of abuse and neglect. The program is the first of its kind and was created and implemented to help comfort and aid children during every phase of the investigative process.

I am extremely proud of Agent Holton for not only recognizing the need for such an incredible program but also for taking the initiative to create a program that can be used around the world to help victims of child abuse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey

Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft.

That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.

Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.

Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.