Posted: 10/29/2010 7:25:38 PM EDT
| There is an open K9 spot at my dept and knowing they are few and far between I'm going to put in for it. Any suggestions of things to brush up on for the interview. Also, how do you guys house your K9s and what do they do when not working? |
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I can't tell ya anything about the interview process, good luck there. But my dad was a PD K9 handler for 14 years. Department policies will dictate some of what you do with your dog in the off hours, but both of his GSD's were kept at home with us. His first Blitz was a 110lb GSD, that was chosen from a local breeder. He was trained and certified in general patrol and narcotics. I don't recall what SH level he was. Dad's second dog was another GSD imported from Czechoslovakia to a trainer in PA. Argus was a fast fuckin dog, lol, 85 lbs and could clear a 6' fence from a stand still. He too was a narcotics/ general patrol dog. Both dogs were very tolerant and protective of our family at home. Neither dog was required to be kenneled separately, the city had a vet that all 3 handlers were to take their dogs to. Other than that, the dog handlers got a take home car and an allowance for food and 2 carpet cleanings per year. There was a time when both police dogs were with us at the same time and they did not get along with each other. Keep this in mind if you already have a dog. Police dogs are alpha dogs and you have to continually work with them to prevent them from going bat shit crazy and to keep their skills and certs up. Good luck! |
| Assuming this is for a patrol dog, know your department policy and use of force for deployments. When I had my K-9 and was off duty he was very much apart of our family, not a caged beast, although some dogs need to be. Will just depend on the one you get. Also just really make sure this is what you want. It requires a ton of work and your family HAS to be behind you 110%. Let us know how it goes. |
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When I put in for K9 the unit commander and head trainer looked at my records and gave me a short interview as to why I wanted to work with them. I was then required to catch a few of the other handlers dogs on the sleeve. It will vary by agency as to the requirements I'm sure.
Just be sure you are dedicated to the job, beacuse it takes alot of training and time to do it. Eventhough we had a kennel for all of our dogs, (we had about 15) if something came up you had to be willing to go down on your off day to take care of your dog. It was a great experience and lets you do somethng different than regualr patrol or investigations. I still say that my best partner in 19+ years was my Dutch Shepard and though he died 8 years ago, I still miss him. |
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Quoted:
There is an open K9 spot at my dept and knowing they are few and far between I'm going to put in for it. Any suggestions of things to brush up on for the interview. Also, how do you guys house your K9s and what do they do when not working? You should know what your dept does with their dogs. You also need to know how you are compensated for caring for the animal off duty, if needed. You need to know search and seizure like the back of your hand. Graham v. connor is another case that you need to memorize. Your state law and circuit rulings will decide if it is more restrictive in relationship to any federal rulings. |
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What is the function of your unit?
Detector? Tracking? Patrol? Start here K9 Fleck and read case law on dogs. As already mentioned, K9 use of force decisions revolve around department policy and Graham vs Connor so read up. ETA: Just saw no bite dogs.  I assume you will be running a detector dog? There is plenty of detector (narc and explosive) case law to read up on.
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What is the function of your unit? Detector? Tracking? Patrol? Start here K9 Fleck and read case law on dogs. As already mentioned, K9 use of force decisions revolve around department policy and Graham vs Connor so read up. ETA: Just saw no bite dogs. I assume you will be running a detector dog? There is plenty of detector (narc and explosive) case law to read up on.This. When I tested for a K9 slot in 1999 a test packet was provided by our PD to all of the applicants. That packet was nothing but case law concerning search and seizure along with the most current appelate and supreme court rulings involving K9s. |
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Our dogs aren't bite dogs and the only SOP we have covers selection process. Dope or bomb? Two completely different realms. K9 FLeck is a great source and you should also look at your state K9 association. You also should ask handlers in the unit. Every dept. will be different, so we may not be providing you with the best information. |
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Quoted:
What is the function of your unit? Detector? Tracking? Patrol? Start here K9 Fleck and read case law on dogs. As already mentioned, K9 use of force decisions revolve around department policy and Graham vs Connor so read up. ETA: Just saw no bite dogs. I assume you will be running a detector dog? There is plenty of detector (narc and explosive) case law to read up on.Used on patrol for narcotics and tracking. |
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Scent and the scenting dog is a good read. It gives you some guidance which may or may not be discussed in an oral board.
It is pretty dry, but there is good information and understanding of how a dog's nose works and odor. Tracking with a non-bite dog for an actual suspect is something that makes me wonder though. Or is it S&R stuff only? |
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Former K-9 Handler here, 7 years with a narcotic & tracking dog(s)
Had 2, Shane, a Golden Retriever and Sammy, a Yellow Lab. Both were great dogs and members of the family. Both are in doggie heaven and I think about them often. K-9 was probably the most rewarding job I have done as a LEO, 30 + years, since 1977. I got a extra hour a day for K-9 care, so I usually took a 11/2 hour lunch during the shift. Training was at least 8 weeks long if I remember right. Narcotics and Tracking. Once you are certified, you can continue to train on duty. I had a safe bolted to the trunk in my Crown Vic with the drugs in it. I trained with cocaine, meth, heroin, ice, & marijuana. Both dogs would hit on pills, must be the HCL in the pills, its also in the powder. Find a used car lot that will let you put the training drugs in the cars, under the fenders on the tires, in the gas lid, under bumpers, etc and train on duty. It doesn't take much time. Let the drug set up for 15 minutes or more. (of course you stay there) My dogs were alert dogs, that scratched at the location, not passive alert dogs. The reward was a tennis ball or Kong.... Photo of the 2 http://home.comcast.net/~tavares11/shane.jpg |
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I'll only give you this caution.
Becoming a handler and a dept getting a dog are a big commitment. Dont expect that if you do it for a couple of years and then a DB, Narc etc spot opens that you will even be considered for those. Our dept has it right in the agreement for K9 handlers that you commit to 8years as a handler and will not put in for transferes to other bureaus. Just something to think about. If this is truely your dream assignment then def go for it, if not pass. J- |
The best advice I think that was given to me, being pretty much in your same shoes, is stop thinking of it as being a dog HANDLER. Become a dog TRAINER. I think Ive figured out what that means, but not yet. They guy told me that when I know, Ill know. 
Also, as stated above, case law, case law, case law. 4th Amendment stuff. They will teach you how to handle the dog. But if you dont know what to do with those alerts................................................................... |
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Let me just toss this in here.
If one has a sniper, the recommended target, in the military handbooks at least, is the handler, not the dog.....and dog teams are pretty high on the list (I think they are after another sniper and a scout). ____________________________________________________ ("Well, I wanted something less stressful. No bashing in doors, you know?"––Lymangood when asked what brought him to air support, (w,stte), "Blue Thunder") |