I'm curious as to how long most police are on the force before they can become a canine handler?
The reason I ask is, I'm considering a career change. I thought about becoming a police and would ultimately like to work with canines. I realize this isn't easy, and I'm sure it's a very selective process.
Also, are there any City of Pittsburgh Police on the board? Thanks.
-Kevin
I am a Retired Explorer Captain from the Guilford County Sheriff's Dept. in NC and our probation period is 2 years. The newest dog came in last year. Our Dept. has a little over 500 officers and only ONE applied for the position.
Brandi Adkins Webboard User Reg: 10-13-2003
Posts: 150
Loc: Maryland
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Your best bet is to find out if the Dept. in your area is pro K-9s. If not, are you willing to move. Also, find out how "big" K9 is in your area. Do they do Demonstrations for, say: the Humaine societies, schools, etc. Our K9's were very involved with the community. Went to schools, did lots of things. When a K9 program has great PR, you know the K9 program is stable. Our K9's also did drug searches of school parking lots and lockers of schools even as far as an hour away. They were highly needed. This will just give you an idea of their stability.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
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Most large cities want you to be a sworn officer for five years before consideration as a K-9 officer.
Smaller cities and towns may have a shorter time requirement, but your training opportunities and general experience will also be less, so that's a huge trade off.
Howard Knauf Webboard User Reg: 09-24-2003
Posts: 1555
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
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I worked six years on the road before getting a dog. The two newest handlers worked 9 years and 13 years respectively. Our agency has 175 cops and only four K9 teams. It is a prestigeous position and rarely does a position open up unless a handler gets promoted(one just left the unit after working dogs 18 years).
On the other hand, one of our officers went to a small neighboring agency after working with us only 18 months. He got a dog 5 months later.
Its a good idea to work the road at least 5 years like Will stated. One must first be comfortable applying law in real situations. Working a dog for the first time is just like starting police work all over again, there is that much to it. Hesitation will get you and others killed.
There are currently 5 canine positions on my 130 officer dept. Those officers assigned to the position can pretty much remain there as long as they want. I was on the dept. about 2 1/2 years and got the position after another officer retired his dog then decided to get out of the program.
Frank Amato Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2001
Posts: 97
Loc:
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On our department(Memphis P.D.) it is a bid postion where seniority wins the bid. It takes on average 13-15 years as a patrolman before you can win the bid.
Howard Knauf Webboard User Reg: 09-24-2003
Posts: 1555
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
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Frank,
That blows. I got an idea! Lets pick the oldest, slowest, out of shape officers to work a dog. Who comes up with this garbage? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
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