How To Become A K9 Police Officer

About Indiana State Police

Founded: 1933Operations Jurisdiction: Indiana, USAHeadquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana The Indiana State Police is the statewide law enforcement agency for the U.S. state of Indiana. Indiana was the 12th state to offer protection to its citizens with a state police force. Its headquarters are in the Indiana Government Center North in Indianapolis.

How Much Does A K

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide a separate data on how much a police dog handler or a K-9 officer earns. The information in general about police officers is that the median salary was $61,600 in May 2016. Typically, those employed in the K-9 units learn a bit more than the other policemen with the similar rank and experience because of the additional responsibilities they have.

According to the information submitted on Pay Scale the median salary of a K-9 officer is $35,913, while the total pay ranges between $28,383 and $82,851. Another source of information about salary range is Simply Hired which provides figures based on third party submissions to their site. According to the collected data the average salary of a K-9 officer amounts to $62,143 and ranges from $33,044 to $116,868.

You should note that the minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction. It is better to check with the employing agency for the actual salary and possibility for growth. Education and experience also affect the monthly amount a police dog handler receives.

There are three different ways to refer to this profession that you need to look for when browsing the law enforcement job openings:

• Police Canine Handler

What Is A K9 Officer

A K9 officer is a law enforcement officer who handles and uses the skills of police dogs to assist in the execution of certain duties, including drug detection, cadaver location, pursuit and apprehension of suspects and explosive identification. A K9 officer performs the typical job duties of a police officer, with a trained dog to assist them in tasks requiring a more animalistic sense of location and speed.

These duties typically include:

• Testifying in court as needed

• Training and handling their K9

The dogs’ training also includes a range of special duties, such as:

• Pursuing and apprehending fleeing suspects

• Detecting drugs, explosives, chemicals and other substances

• Assisting in the location of missing people

• Tracking fugitives

• Locating cadavers and other biological evidence

• Inspecting vehicles for evidence

• Intercepting would-be attacks on an officer by criminals

K9 officers are often required to remain on-call 24-hours-a-day, ready to travel on little to no notice. They must maintain control of their dog at all times to avoid potential liabilities.

Local, state and federal branches of law enforcement, as well as the US military, employ K9 officers and their canine partners. Some specific agencies include:

• Local and state police forces

• Customs and Border Patrol

• Transportation Security Administration

Branches of military use K9s for many singular specialized purposes:

Canine breeds commonly used in law enforcement include:

• German Shepherds

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What Are The Credentials Needed To Ensure That The Person Training The Dog Is Qualified

When considering a trainer’s qualifications, be sure to research their organization’s accreditation. Your department can provide the basic information of the training organization, if the training is outsourced, and from there you can research to satisfy your questions. Nationally-recognized organizations like The U.S. Police Canine Association, The National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, The North American Police Work Dog Association and The National Police Canine Association are the most trustworthy K-9 associations in the US.

Secrets To Becoming A K9 Handler

It is no secret that the world of K9 is not the easiest specialized unit to become a part of.

Units all across the country typically only have from 1-6 K9 teams with the exception of your big cities such as NYPD, LAPD, Boston PD, and some of your larger Sheriffs Offices in Florida that may have 10-15 teams or more. Notwithstanding those larger agencies that may have more turnover and positions available, the position of K9 handler can be very difficult to attain.

Your typical working K9 will have a working career of approximately 7-9 years based on the health of the K9, department retirement policies for K9s, department needs, etc.

This means that the turnover for a K9 handler position is about the same that is if the handler chooses not have the handler work another K9.

K9 is a position that it is either in your blood or it isnt. And when it is in your blood, you never want to leave. Most handlers will work multiple K9s throughout their law enforcement career, often forgoing promotions just to be able to stay within the unit.

With this being said, there are a few things that you can do as an officer to make yourself more desirable to be selected as a K9 handler when that coveted spot does open up within your department.

Here are 3 secrets to becoming a K9 handler:

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K9 Unit Police Dog Training School In Missouri

For police K9 training near Missouri from experienced dog trainers, Conifer Canine has a qualified staff that specializes in teaching canines how to reduce the risk of a situation in the field. We are recognized for our skills in K9 dog and handler training, as well as personnel support by the Indiana Law Enforcement Agency. Our K9 Unit dog training school near Missouri specializes in teaching structural agility, drug or explosives detection, suspect apprehension without the use of deadly force, area & building searches, handler protectiontracking / trailing and more.

Using a K9 police dog can be a psychological deterrent when arriving at a disturbance or potentially dangerous situation. We train canines in both on and off leash responses allowing our trainers to help reduce the risk of liability and gain more control of the situation at hand.

Education Requirements For K9 Officers

A K9 officer must complete high school, though an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law, or police science helps with police academy and K9 officer applications. A degree could also facilitate advancement from local law enforcement to the state or federal level, both of which pay higher wages.

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What Happens When A K

Every agency has its own policy on what happens when a K-9 retires. For many agencies, when the K-9 retires, the K-9 handler then moves on from being a K-9 handler and goes into another position withing the agency. For instance, Hollys canine, Bane is slated for retirement this year while a new K-9 is gearing up taking Banes position. That new K-9 will have it own new K-9 handler

The contract the Detectus McManus has with the city as a K-9 handler, is that she will buy K-9 Bane for a dollar and then it will literally become a retired K-9 officer, much like how police officers become retired. His liability, care, vet bills, and everything else will them become the responsibility of Detective McManus personally. Right now, the city of St. Francis technically owns Bane and carries that liability for him.

Best K9 Unit Dogs Breeds

Various breeds of dogs are employed within the K9-Unit, with each breed having its advantages, adaptations and specializations. Different breeds are used for different tasks. This list will give a comprehensive description of the 11 best and widely employed dog breeds in the K9 unit detailing eachs strengths and in which task they may be specialized.

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K9s4cops Has Placed Nearly 250 K9s Resulting In Over One Billion Dollars In Contraband

âNot only are our handlers more equipped to do their job safely and more efficient, but our childrenâs schools and our streets are safer.â

â Deputy Clayton Marshall, Harris County Constable Precinct 4

âHaving been a K9 handler for ten years, I know firsthand that there is no greater âtoolâthat can be utilized in the line of duty. A life saving device that not only becomes our partner, but our best friend, that would give their lives to preserve ours. There is no stronger bondâ¦and for that, I am extremely thankful.â

â Deputy James Glaze, Harris County Sheriffs Office

If it were not for K9s4COPs, I would not be where I am today in my K-9 career. The impact that K9s4COPs has on the community cannot be measured. Thank you so much K9s4COPs for everything you have done for me and my fellow brothers in blue. My family thanks for you providing the best and bringing me home safe at night.â

â Dep. Kenny Taylor, Harris County Sheriff Office

People do not understand we would not have a career law enforcement without these 4-legged partners. Thank you K9s4COPs for allowing me such a valuable tool to complete my work each and every day. The bad guys are not grateful, but on behalf of me and my family we certainly are!

â Deputy Larry Graves, Harris County Sheriffâs Office

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Police Dog Training Qualifications

A police dog trainer must have patience and an affinity for working with dogs, along with an intuitive sense of what motivates a dog. These professionals must be able to evaluate the animals to determine if the animal is able to successfully execute expected tasks. Dog trainers must be good communicators, using their voice and hand gestures to communicate to the animals. Training requirements vary by state, but some states require that police dog trainers have experience as K-9 handlers on a police force.

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Becoming Part Of The K9 Unit

Typically, the Police Department has two options of obtaining a potential K9 Unit dog.

The first way is referred to as buying a green dog. Green Dogs are usually between the ages of 7 months and 14 months old.

These pups have also undergone basic obedience training. Green Dogs are then enrolled in a training program that lasts between 4 weeks and 12 weeks.

During this time, the Green Dogs work alongside an officer to better prepare them for the job.

The second way that the Police Department may obtain a potential K9 Unit dog is for them to purchase a pup that has already been fully trained.

These dogs will have had to go through basic training as well as various other courses that closely resemble those given by the Police Force.

The Police Department will determine which way they feel they should obtain their pups.

make the decision based on what types of jobs they will have the canine perform as well as how much time and effort they want to invest in him.

Police Officers that are assigned as a handler for the K9 Unit have worked very hard to earn such a privilege.

These officers have likely undergone various dog training courses in order to properly handle their K9 counterpart. The K9 Unit training helps form the bond between the dog and his handler.

Usually, the handler as well as his canine is required to complete their training and be certified before they are released for active duty.

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Connecticut State Police K9 Unit

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

CSP K9 Unit:

The Connecticut State Police K9 Unit trains both canine officers and human officers in the state of Connecticut.

The Connecticut State Police have had a working relationship with dogs that extends back almost to the beginning of the department. In the earliest days, the department was among the first to regularly employ bloodhounds for tracking purposes. In the 60s, the CSP began training and using german shepherds for tracking, deterrent purposes, and recovery of evidence. A special unit was established, and dogs were here to stay. Over the years, the CSP K9 unit has been on the forefront of many advances in the use of dogs in police work, including specially trained arson dogs, drug detection dogs, and body recovery dogs. CSP K9 teams are regularly called to assist throughout the state, country, and in other areas of the world. Because of their success, the K9 unit has provided training to police and other agencies the world over. There are many people who are alive today because of CSP dog teams. There are more who have had their day in the justice system.

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The Best Job In Law Enforcement

So when you are looking at police jobs near me to find police department hiring, in addition to finding out he police officer requirements for each agency, consider if the agency have a K-9 unit, what are the police officer requirements. Of all of the law enforcement careers out there, being a K-9 handler is one of the best police department jobs.

According to Detective McManus, Having been a K-9 handler for the last six plus years, is by far the best job in law enforcement. It has been the most rewarding opportunity that this agency could have given me. And even though Ive chosen not to take the next dog, it will be the highlight of my career. I get to bring my best friend with me every day to work. If Im at work, hes at work. He has yet to miss a day at work.

What Are The Steps To Train A Police Dog

Before you begin police dog training, your dog should have mastered obedience training and should be able to respond to your commands instantly without problems, plus should be free of behavior problems.

Next, your dog should have a work ethic if it is scared, nervous, or anxious, it might be difficult for your dog to cope with this highly intense training.

Also, your dog should be health tested to confirm whether he is healthy enough for police dog training and is free from any illness or injury.

You can start to train usually when the dog is around 8-10 weeks old. Reward-based training works best so take advantage of it.

The key to success is consistency, patience, and positivity, so stay up to it.

If your dog meets all these standards, then heres your guide on how to train a K9.

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What Does A K9 Officer Do

K9 officers are a unique, specially trained group of officers. As with all police officers, K9 officer duties are to enforce local, state, or federal laws, though the specific duties they are responsible for will vary depending on where the agency they work for and other factors. Some K9 officers work on detecting explosives, whereas others are on the hunt for illicit drugs or weapons.

Because the K9 unit is trained in a unique manner, they are highly valued and may work unconventional schedules because of it. Some agencies have K9 officers on call 24/7. Thats because the dogs are needed at the drop of a hat to sniff out a body, a person, illegal substances, or other items that are best handled by the nose of a trained police dog.

K9 officers can work in a number of different capacities both inside and outside of the police force. Youll find K9 officers at airports, high-security public places, courthouses, and other locations that require a dogs special skills.

K9 agents must care for and form a bond with their police dog which is one of the most important factors in this equation. In order to be effective in this role, K9 officers must be able to work well with animals and have the ability to maintain control of their police dogs at all times. After hours, K9 agents take their police dog partner home and serve as its handler while off-duty.

What Does A Law Enforcement K

K-9 officers are responsible for enforcing local, state, or federal laws depending on the agency that they work for, and they are a peace officer. Typically, their duties are based on the mission of the agency that they work for, the division within that agency that they are assigned to, and the skills of the dog.

For instance, a dual purpose K-9 is specialized both in nose work for detection of narcotics or explosives and in bite work for protecting both the public and his handler. In this scenario one of the major purposes of the K-9 handler would be patrolling.

When it comes to a track and find or an area search, a K-9 handler paired with a cadaver dog would be utilized. Some of the larger agencies have bomb dogs assigned to the handlers who deal majorly with explosives. There are K-9 handlers with narcotics detecting dogs who are assigned to the jail.

A K-9 handler is required to train their dog to meet the needs of his department. The canine accompanies their handler on duty and assists them in a variety of tasks that include detecting illegal substances, explosive or chemicals, tracking and rescuing missing persons, and locating submerged or buried corpses or human parts.

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S To Becoming A K9 Officer

• Acquire the necessary education and/or job experience to become a police officer.
• Apply for an open police officer or law enforcement position.
• Undergo a background investigation and be fingerprinted.
• Take and pass a polygraph test.
• Take and pass a series of physical fitness tests.
• Take and pass a medical exam.
• Be interviewed.
• Be hired as a police officer.
• Gain experience as a police officer, usually at least one or two years.
• Apply for an open K9 officer position.
• Be interviewed for the position.
• Begin working as a K9 officer.
• Receive training on-the-job.