About Us »

About John: »

John Niehaus, owner and proprietor of Custom Cage, was born in NW Iowa. John served in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller, serving a tour in Viet Nam in 1969. After discharge Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD, in 1975, John continued to live in the Black Hills and joined the Spearfish Police Reserves and Ambulance Service. In 1977, John entered Law Enforcement full time, serving with the Pennington County Sheriff's Department in the capacity of a K-9 officer, SWAT team member, dive rescue, and STEP officer. John graduated from Black Hills State College in 1980, with a major in Sociology and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. In 1986, John moved to Spearfish and became their K-9 officer, patrolman, pilot, evidence technician, and community-policing specialist. John also joined the South Dakota Army National Guard and is presently a member of the USAR (US Army Reserve), assigned with the 104th Division, (IT), located at Vancouver Barracks, WA. John is a qualified instructor, assisting and training anything from Combat Engineer Courses to firearms qualifications. John is also an active charter member of Lodge 12, Fraternal Order of Police, Northern Hills Chapter, Spearfish, South Dakota.

Necessity, the Mother of Invention: »

During those years of service, police vehicle barrier screens were held as an unnecessary expenditure and portrayed a picture of the dreaded "Gestapo syndrome" which spread fear in the hearts the common law biding citizens and scared the tourists away. Thus, protective barriers were rarely used. With a suspect and a trained dog in the vehicle at the same time, liability concerns were raised. The Sheriffs warning was, "That dam dog bites one suspect in the car, the programs over". John then designed and constructed his first cage to reduce the liability issue and the prisoner transport problem created by a good working dog.

Inspiration/Motivation:

In 1985, a dear friend was murdered as he transported a suspect to jail. Murdered by the suspect's male companion, who was seated in the back seat. Since that time, the need for security barrier screens has become more vivid in everyone's mind. Joining the Spearfish Police Department in 1986, John constructed cages for their vehicles. The department still uses the original ½ cages.

Past, Present and Future: »

John retired early from law enforcement in 1995. After serving as Mayor of Spearfish for two years, Custom Cage was officially started in 1998. With the help of a hefty loan, an over-paid patent attorney, creative sons Bret and Troy, a computer wiz daughter, Lisa, a host of Grand kids, not mention a very understanding working wife named Connie, we sold our first cage. It also helped to have a few hundred Law Enforcement agencies willing to take a chance. Custom Cage has grown by word of mouth to have "repeat customers" in over 25 states. Barrier screens have been designed and constructed for vehicles ranging from Honda Civics to Oldsmobile station wagons. Cages for "Low Bid" cars are converted to fit this year's car for a minimal charge. Cages are designed for pickups with 3 & 4 doors and pickups with extended cabs, to include SUV's of all types and sizes. Changes in design to meet specific departmental needs are always welcomed. Thus far, we have met most every challenge and have the ability to repeat the process. We again ask you to consider giving us a try. Try one cage, freight paid to your location; evaluate its merit and advantages. If it doesn't work for you, send it back. Your tall officers will like the extra leg- room and ability to have a degree of comfort and above all, safety. Officer's families also like the feeling that any security cage brings to their family relationship. Above all, remember:

"BE CAREFULL" out there.