On Monday, March 6, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation hosted its annual 3-day seminar for K9 training and development. The seminar was conducted locally at our public safety training facility. Several leading K9 trainers were invited from across the country to assist multiple police departments in receiving specialized K9 instruction and tools for continued success.
Countless police departments were represented from across the state of Georgia, with parts of South Carolina and Arkansas being represented, as well. The goal of the 3-day practicum was to build better teams, work on problem-solving skills, and successfully complete scenario-based training.
For those unfamiliar with “K-9s”, they are essentially police dogs that are specially trained to assist members of the law enforcement. (“K-9” is a homophone for the word “Canine.”)
These specialized companions are screened from a young age for competencies such as exhibiting a proper temperament and responding effectively to handler commands. These dogs require multiple weeks of instruction before becoming an official K9. Most K9s start training around a year old and continue with their advanced training throughout the duration of their career. Once a K9 retires, the K9 Foundation continues to provide financial support and assistance to the K9 in terms of bearing the costs of medical expenses and veterinary bills. GPK9 Foundation board member and trainer, Dustin Lanier, confirms these specifics exactly.
“The foundation aided with my dog, Pike, throughout his entire career," he shared. "They provided financial support to us in terms of his training, equipment, and bullet proof vests to better protect him in the line of duty. Also, once Pike retired, the foundation picked up a few of the medical bills.”
During the seminar, multiple stations were set up around the facility grounds for police drills and maneuvers. Each station dealt with scenarios ranging from K9 certifications to an interactive perpetrator locator simulation. K9 trainer, Justin Rigney,(who’s been a dog trainer for 30 years) explained the simulation.
"Officers will begin this mock trail and follow it from start to finish," he said. "And at the end of the trail, they will address a fictitious perpetrator and shoot. The goal of this course is to see if the K9 dog stays on track and successfully follows this artificial trail from start to finish.”
Similarly to this simulation, a narcotics detection course was also being conducted offsite. K9s (especially dual-purpose K9s) are oftentimes vital to narcotics operations due to their heightened sense of smell. So, simulations like both of these are fundamental to the continued standardization of patrol practices across multiple law enforcement organizations.
GPK9 Foundation founder and president, Kyle Briley, was pleased with the success of the seminar. Briley expressed that this annual seminar remains important as it “increases the awareness regarding K9s and how they contribute to the success of law enforcement. Furthermore, this seminar is specific for law enforcement officers, in that it helps them serve their communities better. Each station, lecture, and module are specifically tailored for them to take the information and tools gained here back to their respective communities for improved service.”
For more information on the Georgia Police K9 Foundation, please email them at [email protected], call (912) 687-2410, or visit their website at www.gpk9f.org. You can join the foundation for their popular annual event, An Evening for the K9s, June 2nd and 3rd.
