PHOTOS: On the beat…

HYANNIS – On the beat, a patrol officer can expect a wide range of challenges.

When the roads become slippery and treacherous, police still need to be out on patrol. Most of the patrol officers switch over to four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles when the snow starts to accumulate.

The rear-wheel-drive K-9 unit, however, attempts to remain on patrol as long as possible before switching to another vehicle, at which time the dog is temporarily taken off the road…

Tonight, several officers were checking on a possible fight near the train tracks behind Pufferbellies, when one of Barnstable’s K-9 units slid off the plowed surface, becoming stuck in deeper snow.

No need for the on-duty tow truck… officers quickly pitched in with shovels and a tow strap, successfully putting the valuable K-9 unit back on the beat…

When it comes to dealing with snow conditions, local first responders are (unfortunately) becoming “old pros.”

(There was no fight after all, by the way. It turned out to be some random guy running his mouth, angrily yapping into his cell phone, while alarming others from a nearby parking lot…)

Meanwhile, in Canada… [15 second video… press play]