Canine Training Program Manager

With 25 years of dedicated experience in canine operations, Ethridge "Jimmy" Hall is a seasoned expert in the field of K9 training and supervision. Throughout his career, Jimmy has served as a K9 handler, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) trainer, evaluator, and supervisor. He is currently the Canine Training Program Manager for both the Forensic Institute for Security and Tactics (F1RST) and a Sheriff’s Office, where he oversees the development and management of one of the most advanced K9 programs in the region.

Jimmy supervises a team of four K9 trainers and is responsible for the selection, training, and operational readiness of a 60 plus dog unit that includes patrol, narcotics detection, explosives detection, therapy assistance, arson accelerant detection, and Bloodhound teams. Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office is one of the few agencies to have a canine team attached to a FEMA task force with live find FEMA certification. Additionally, Jimmy spearheads the department's Human Remains Detection and Disaster SAR K9 programs, providing invaluable support for critical search and rescue operations.

For the past seven years, Jimmy has worked tirelessly to develop and integrate a tactical K9 program, embedding four specialized K9 teams within the Pasco Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team to provide heightened operational capabilities.

Jimmy's role extends beyond training to include creating partnerships with academic institutions and public safety organizations to advance the use of working dogs in law enforcement. His focus on collaboration and continuous research drives innovations in K9 training methodologies, health, and operational performance, ensuring that both K9 teams and trainers remain at the forefront of the industry.

A big thanks to Jimmy—without his vision and leadership, canine operations would still be stuck in the stone age. Jimmy is a true visionary in both the K9 world and in developing the people around him. His ability to push both dogs and handlers to their limits, while promoting the right individuals, has had an immeasurable impact. It is because of Jimmy that Dark Shadows Canine (DSC) exists and continues to thrive. His influence and legacy are felt deeply within the canine community, and we are proud to have him as an integral part of our team.

Senior K9/SWAT Specialist

With over 25 years of law enforcement experience, Patrick "PJ" Bingham has built an exceptional career in both the sheriff's office and the tactical K9 world. With more than 15 years of SWAT expertise, PJ initially served as an operator before advancing to the role of K9/SWAT handler. His extensive experience includes training with the highest levels of military tactical units and their canine divisions.

PJ has worked with a variety of specialized K9s, including tracking and detection dogs, bloodhounds, and a single-purpose Explosive Ordnance Detection (EOD) K9. His training and operational background are second to none, with numerous certifications in firearms, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction.

Through his dedication, leadership, and expertise, PJ has become a highly respected name in the K9 and tactical communities, known for his commitment to excellence in both training and field operations.

Senior K9/SWAT Team Leader

Robert "Rob" Wilkins brings over 25 years of law enforcement experience, with more than 20 years dedicated to the SWAT community. Throughout his career, Rob has served as both an operator and, later, as a respected team leader. His leadership and tactical expertise have earned him the trust and admiration of his peers and superiors, and his insights are highly valued at every level of operation within his agency’s program.

After excelling in the SWAT world, Rob took his career to new heights as a K9/SWAT handler, once again assuming the role of team leader for the unit. In this capacity, he led and trained elite teams while integrating specialized K9 assets into high-risk operations. Rob has had the privilege of training alongside the most advanced military and tactical canine units, further honing his skillset in handling various K9s, including those trained for SWAT, tracking, and explosive ordnance detection (EOD).

With a reputation as a top-tier K9 handler, Rob is well-known within the law enforcement and tactical communities, particularly for his work with specialized dogs like bloodhounds and single-purpose EOD K9s. His dedication to continuous professional development is evident in his extensive certifications in firearms training, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction.

Rob’s experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to the Dark Shadows team.

K9/SWAT Operator

Justin Case brings over 20 years of experience as a SWAT operator, having spent the early part of his career honing his skills in high-pressure environments before retiring from his police department. After his retirement, Justin joined a cutting-edge K9/SWAT Tactical Development (TACDEV) team at a local Sheriff’s Office, where he has continued to be a respected figure in both the SWAT and K9 communities.

Through his years of dedication and hard work, Justin achieved his goal of becoming a K9/SWAT operator—a highly coveted and specialized role that combines his tactical expertise with his deep understanding of canine behavior. Justin has worked with multiple canines throughout his career, and his ability to communicate and build strong, effective relationships with each dog is a testament to his skill as both a handler and trainer.

Justin has had the privilege of training alongside some of the highest levels of military tactical teams and their canine units, continually refining his expertise. His certifications span multiple areas, including firearms training, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction, making him a well-rounded and highly qualified member of the Dark Shadows team.

In addition to his work in law enforcement, Justin is also working in the pet training division at Dark Shadows Canine (DSC). With his great personality and exceptional communication skills, Justin excels at educating pet owners on what to expect from training programs and how to build lifelong, positive relationships with their pets. His approach fosters understanding, trust, and effective training techniques that ensure pets thrive in their homes for years to come.

Respected by his peers and admired for his dedication, Justin continues to excel in both his work with canines and his contributions to the pet training world, driving excellence in everything he does.

K9 handler/Special operator

With over 15 years of hands-on tactical K9 experience, Derek is a highly skilled K9 specialist currently contracted by Dark Shadows Canine. Having served in diverse and high-pressure operational environments, Derek has gained invaluable real-world experience in various mission sets, making him uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive training solutions.

Derek’s expertise spans both tactical K9 courses and pet training, offering a broad spectrum of instruction that is rooted in practical, field-tested knowledge. Drawing from lessons learned firsthand in the U.S. Armed Forces, Derek uses a common-sense approach to solving the challenges faced by today’s K9 handlers, whether in tactical operations or everyday scenarios with family pets.

Although Derek’s picture is not available due to his active status in the U.S. Armed Forces, his experience and dedication to excellence speak for themselves. His training programs are designed to equip K9 teams with the skills needed to succeed in any situation—whether on the frontlines of a mission or in the home with a beloved companion.

Tactical K9 Specialist

Ken is a seasoned K9 expert currently contracted by Dark Shadows Canine to teach specialized tactical integration courses. With over 25 years of hands-on experience in military and law enforcement K9 operations, Ken has trained and led some of the highest-performing working dogs in the field. His extensive background includes training and commanding dogs within the highest level of military canine units, where he worked closely with highly skilled K9 handlers, including those from most the branches of U.S. Armed Forces military working dog programs.

Ken’s deep understanding of tactical K9 operations is rooted in his experience with elite teams in high-pressure environments. His work has spanned a variety of mission sets, where he has honed his expertise in integrating K9s into complex operations. His training philosophy emphasizes practical, real-world solutions, with a focus on making sure both K9s and handlers are fully prepared for any operational environment they may encounter.

In addition to his tactical training, Ken is also certified with several prestigious organizations. His certification in these fields, combined with his military K9 expertise, allows him to offer a comprehensive training experience that covers everything from tactical K9 operations to everyday pet training.

Although Ken’s picture is unavailable due to his ongoing active-duty status, his reputation and experience within the K9 training community are widely recognized. Whether training military teams, law enforcement personnel, or civilian pet owners, Ken’s methods are results-driven, with an emphasis on clear communication, consistency, and trust between handler and K9. His goal is to ensure that all K9 teams—whether working in tactical scenarios or in the home—are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

Owner, Operator & Trainer

Jacob Baroff is the owner, and trainer of Dark Shadows Canine, bringing years of expertise from both the K9 and SWAT worlds. With a strong foundation in law enforcement and canine operations, Jacob has built a reputation for excellence in the field, earning respect as both a skilled handler and a visionary trainer.

Jacob’s career spans many years in the K9/SWAT arena, where he has been deeply involved in tactical operations, training, and team leadership. His experience includes serving as a K9 handler, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) trainer, evaluator, and supervisor. Over the years, he has developed a deep understanding of canine behavior, advanced training techniques, and the critical role dogs play in both high-risk law enforcement and military operations.

A passionate advocate for integrating military-level tactics into law enforcement, Jacob has trained with some of the highest-caliber military canine units, and he continues to set up training programs that bridge the gap between military and law enforcement K9 operations. By adapting the best practices from these elite military units, Jacob has helped enhance tactical K9 programs, ensuring that law enforcement teams are prepared for the most demanding and high-stakes environments.

For the last 8+ years, Jacob has played a key role in developing and refining tactical K9 programs. Jacob is now supervising all K9/SWAT, Bloodhounds, Explosive Ordnance Detection (EOD), and some patrol units. As head trainer for these specialized programs, Jacob ensures that his teams are not only skilled but equipped to handle real-world, high-risk deployments. His hands-on approach to training, leadership, and mentorship has made him an influential figure in both the military/law enforcement and canine communities.

Jacob’s commitment to canine training extends beyond high-risk law enforcement operations. He also has a deep passion for training pet dogs, believing in the power of positive training to help owners build strong, lasting relationships with their pets. Whether working with working dogs or family pets, Jacob’s mission is to bring out the best in every dog, ensuring that they thrive both in their professional roles and in their homes.

With numerous certifications in canine training, firearms, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction, Jacob continues to push the boundaries of K9 training, forging new paths in tactical operations, canine health, and handler relationships. His vision and dedication have made Dark Shadows Canine a leader in the industry, and his work continues to influence the future of K9 operations in both military/law enforcement and pet training.