PHOTO BY JENNA FRISBY / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TRAINING DAY … Officers from four surrounding law enforcement departments got together Thursday morning to conduct a K9 certification training. Each of the departments work together on a monthly basis to come together and test each other as well as aid each other in utilizing techniques that will work for them and their canines.
By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jenna@thevillagereporter.com
Officers and their canines from four local law enforcement agencies gathered together on Thursday, June 13th to have a day of training. Their day consisted of conducting certification training for several of the officers and their canines.
The canines are trained and certified on officer protection, tracking articles, searches and narcotics discovery.
Officers and their canines involved in the training were: Officer Randy Mills and K9 Vader of the Pioneer Police Department, Officer Matt Sammons and K9 Tyson of the Bryan Police Department, Chief Ken Jacobs and K9 Ruin of the Edgerton Police Department, and Josh Rodriguez and K9 Ausko of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department.
The K9 officers like to get together monthly to work as a group in training and refining their skills. In doing this, they create the opportunity to work with their peers and brush up on skills.
It also allows them to be able to teach each other new techniques or to fix techniques that may not be working for the K9 and their handler.
This monthly training is vital to being part of the area’s K9 team. It allows for the growth of the canines and their handlers, as well as for accountability between the officers, allowing for growth as a team.
Each month the canines and their handlers train at a different place. This allows for the canines to not become accustomed or used to one area over another and helps to keep their skills sharp.
This month the training was held in Pioneer, the home base for Officer Mills and K9 Vader. These training courses, while sharpening each other’s skills, truly allow the officers and their canines to be better equipped and prepared to help the public in their time of need