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Importance of K-9 Training

NCJ Number
165164
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 23 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1996) Pages: 68,70-72
Author(s)
A W Whitworth
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
One of the most effective policing tools is the modern K-9 unit, and the preeminent organization for training and certifying police K-9 units is the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA).
Abstract
More than 600 U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies participate in regional and national certification trials conducted by the USPCA to simulate tactical conditions. Obedience tests demonstrate the dog handler's control, while agility tests have the dog surmount obstacles that simulate stairs, ledges, and fences. The most effective K-9 units share some common characteristics: full support by police administrators, adequate funding for training, selection of the best dogs and handlers, and use of K-9 teams as specialized units rather than as general utility units. For example, the Evansville, Indiana, Police Department considers its K-9 unit to be an elite unit, part of the department's Special Operations Platoon. The Middletown, Ohio, Police Department has fielded a K-9 unit since 1966 and often accepts, trains, and uses donated dogs. K-9 units in St. Paul and St. Louis also accept donated dogs, and dogs are selected at least in part on their ability to tolerate people. USPCA members are split about 50-50 on training philosophies of specializing dogs versus training them for all aspects of police work. One police lieutenant indicates that dogs have to be able to work the street, bite hard if they has to, and then go do a public demonstration with children and let the children come up and pet them. Procedures involved in training dogs to work on K-9 units are described, with emphasis on language lessons that enable dogs to understand commands. 2 photographs

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