K9 LEO's

[SteveO911]

Are there any K9 LEO's out there that can give me some advise? I am a LE Student and am interested in being involved with a K9 team down the line.

What can I do to prepare myself and improve my qualifications to be accepted into a K9 Officer training program?

Let's here some of your stories on how you got involved and what was your background.

Any stories or insights will be helpful.

:talk:

[RWPD_262]

First off, its nice to notice another *Minn-e-so-tan* here on the boards, Welcome! In regards to your question, normally those positions require a few years of service, usually 3, before you can even apply for that type of assignment. As far as prep work, there is really not much that you can do but have the desire and when the time comes - throw your name in the ring. I to would like to work K9 at some point also (just make sure that you get along with dogs - haha). Later

P.S. Where are you going to school?

262

[hightower]

Welcome SteveO!!! I am also a fellow Minnesotan (There will soon be enough of us here to take over the Board {Evil Laugh})

Okay, I agree with what Red Wing said. I was lucky enough to not have to wait that long before I got my dog. I started in December and was chosen as K9 officer the next August. Just happened to be lucky.

My advise is to be the best street cop you can be. A St. Paul K9 cop once told our class "If you come in here a Sh**ty cop, you will leave here a Sh**ty cop with a dog."

[K9 Police]

This topic is very ironic as I just finished a interview/demonstration with a K9 Sheriff for a local county in the metro area. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I work for a department within the county and I setup an interview to find more about the K9 program and the many aspects of having a dog as a partner.

I, too, wish to be a K9 handler in the future and I know that being a Community Service Officer and working with dogs all the time will be very helpful when the promotional oppurtunity will come. Also, working in any type of animal field from volunteering at a local shelter to working in a clinic can also improve your chances.

The sheriff that I interviewed didn't receive the dog until 9 years after he first was hired as a sheriff. He said he loves the job but A LOT of responsibility comes with the dog. Everything from insurance, liabliltiy to taking the lead on certain calls and the opinions and disgruntles of other officers. He spoke a lot of how the novelty of having a dog wears off once you get into the training school. You then realize that you have a lot of responsibility. Like hightower said, you better be a good cop going into the program to make a good K9 cop.

Watching the dog work was just amazing. The best advice he gave is to be the best cop once you get hired and let the department know you have a high interest in having a dog. Make sure that the department that you get hired on has a dog. Starting a program can be harder than it looks.

Try to ride along with a handler or get in touch with one. You can learn A LOT of information about K9 programs

K9

[SteveO911]

Thanks for the input. I have been volunteering at the local shelter and have found working with different dogs to be helpful.

I'll keep on the LE track and keep my eyes and ears open. This board is a great way to share experiences.

I'd appreciate any more bios and stories from other K9 LEO's.

http://www.lawenforcementjob.com/eastern/images/roscoe.gif

[Shadowknows]

I was K-9 for about 15 years. I worked tracking and narcotics.
I was lucky and got with a guy who taught me a lot on the side. He was very active in SAR. You might check with them and see if anybody lives in your area, if so you can hook up with them, they are always looking for somebody to lay tracks for them.