Hello everyone. I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this question, but it seems like a good place to start.

I have been training PP dogs for 4 years. I have thought about Law Enforcement for some time, and now I am trying to collect more facts to make a solid decision.

What positions are typically open in police departments concerning K9 work? Obviously there is the handler/officer, but is there also an onsite instructor and/or decoy?

What is the best avenue to pursue to get into a K9 position?

Thank you for your help.
Max

What is the best avenue to pursue to get into a K9 position?

K-9 Hnadler is generally considered a specialty position. As such each department is different in the way the choose train and staff such positions. But, usually, you first get selected without regards towards any specialty, for being a LEO, attend an academy (some states this is done like attending a tech school others you get hired then they put you through school) after hire or before hire (then look for a job). Once you are through a field training program you would be assigned to a field position (unless you're stuck in the jail first) and start your career. Show exemplary job performance, a great disciplinary record, good skills, and put a few years in (any where from a couple to six) and apply for an opening.
Then start all over since you'll feel like a rookie once again <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kevin (and others),
What would be your opinion(s) on a rookie officer who owned a dog certified as dual puropse before being hired on as a LEO. Would it be more likely in that type of scenario that the rookie LEO might be placed in K9 because the dog is available, certified, and the rookie and the dog had already bonded and proved they could work together?

For instance, in my case, I plan to obtain dual purpose PSD certification for my dog, as well as handler certification for myself sometime in the upcoming year. Where I own a security company I plan to utilize these certifications and run K9 when needed by the clients.

Let's say in a similar type case someone gets the certification and works the dog some in a non LE setting, then tests and gets hired with an agency. Since that certification is there, and given the fact they would have worked the dog in the past, owned and bonded with the dog for a few years.....so on and so forth (I think you see where I am goin with this) would it be more likely that a department would let a rookie cop work K9? There are certainly financial benefits because the investment the department makes is considerably less (already taken by the rookie)......yet there are disadvantages as well........thoughts.....comments?

Kevin, You pretty much covered all the bases. K9 is a specialty position and does take some years to get. In our agency the current handlers, myself included , have been working the dogs for 7 years. One handler has been working dogs for 16 years. In my opinion it is the best position in the whole place, thats why there is such a low turnover rate. about the only time a position comes up is when an officer is promoted ( no rank in our agency handles a dog) or if they are severly injured.

Drew, When it comes to a city agency where the officers have a good union, it is almost impossible to walk in with a trained dog and expect a K9 position. Also, most agencies want ownership of the dog to be worked until it is retired. I have seen the Sheriffs Dept take a newbie straight out of the academy and immediately put him in a K9 position though, pissed off plenty of deputies waiting for that position. I believe an officer should work the road at least 5 years before handling a dog. Like kevin said, it is just like starting all over again. Too much pressure to be a boot AND work a dog right out of the chute.

Don't want to pour cold water on your idea, and, as Kevin pointed out, this issue varies so much among agencies that it is difficult to generalize, but the first thing you will need to be with most agencies is an experienced LEO. They simply are not about to trust a rookie with no LE track record out there with a dog...too much liability involved and too little experience to call upon when things get crazy.

The same may also be true with a personal dog...many agencies will not allow their use, no matter what. Any experience gained training and deploying a dog in a "security" setting might, or might not, mean much to your potential selection as a handler. While it probably won't hurt, I can tell you that some trainers and supervisors I know would consider it to be a "minus" rather than a "plus" since they would rather train their handlers from "scratch" themselves.

Good Luck

Thanks for the input.....

My current plan of action is to continue my schooling and job. If the security company does well, then all is well. Ultimately I would like to become a K9 handler for a police agency as many others on this board. The dog I have is an asset and could be utilized by an agency. I have contacted those smaller departments (locally) that may not have the funding for a dog, but may have a need and a desire to make it work......we'll see what they say, if anything.

In my personal situation, I would anticipate that should the time come that I become a LEO (keeping in mind I have already attended the academy, but chose to get a degree before continuing) I will go in with the thought that one day I could be a K9 officer. I think the experience I am getting training and handling this dog is valuable when it would come time, should it ever come time, for consideration.....not a shoe in......but a legitimate chance.

A rookie walking in with their own K-9 MIGHT happen in a small community with a small LE agency. I have seen it happen in the smaller rural areas.

BUT, what experience would you have in search /seizure - legal deployment, when to and when NOT to - the street drug culture and officer safety issues. The academies usually teach you enough, just to get you into trouble. It's the valuable experience you learn over the years, working with those who have "been there, done that."

Max ,
I agree with the others on this board. If you decide to become a Law Enforcement Officer do just that. Don't even worry about being a K9 officer for a few years . Work and learn on the streets and prove yourself to your fellow street officers first . What you learn will probably save your life if you ever reach that goal of being a Police K9 Handler . Remember K9's are called for some of the most dangerous calls officers are involved in .

If there is anything else I can add is if you become a Law Enforcement Officer avoid taking any specialty assingments that take you off the streets. We had an officer in my department that went straight into being a School Liason Officer his first year on the job. He came into the K9 Unit after being in that position for several years . When he hit the streets with his dog the patrol officers had very little trust in him. After a couple years and numerous officer safty mistakes (1 that got him hurt very bad ) he left the unit. We now added to our requirements to applying for a K9 position " 3 years PATROL experience required . ".

Also there is one other avenue you can explore once you have been a Patrol officer for awhile and still want to go into K9. If the department you end up working for doesn't have a K9 unit you could approach your Chief/Sheriff with a proposal to start one. This usually contains information on the benefits of K9's and also a plan on financing the unit. I have seen several K9 units started after they approach there community and raised donations to purchase the dog , training and other equipment . Other established K9 units may be able to help you with this .

In that same line of thinking, many agencies who have a separate narcotics division also have drug detection dogs that are handled by the narc agents exclusively. Another option to get the foot in the door after youve gotten some patrol experience.