Training is extremely important for police officers and deputies. This week a special program provides high-level lessons to some four-legged law enforcers as well. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer shares details and sounds of this intense instruction.
Local businessman Ryan Callaghan of RP Constructors helped cover the $20,000 pricetag for the training.
The training sessions for the dogs and officers continue through tomorrow.
* Special thanks Sioux City Police Officer Andrew Dutler for recording the dogs in action.
News release from the Sioux City Police Department:
K9s United hosts Sioux City Canine Workshop for Law Enforcement
50 K9 Teams join from across three states to benefit from essential training tactics
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2021) – K9s United is proud to host K9 law enforcement teams for a four- day training session in Sioux City, IA to ensure K9 units across the country have the highest levels of training and animal care needed to help protect and serve their communities. The private workshop, held from Aug. 2-5 at the Sioux City Police Department Training Center, joins 50 K9 teams located throughout the state of Iowa, along with teams traveling from Nebraska and Wisconsin to participate in the advanced canine training.
The in-depth workshop encompasses human detection including tracking, trailing, area and building searches; criminal apprehension techniques and scenario-based training; odor and narcotics/explosive detection; along with basic and advanced obedience training. The workshop also helps handlers with certification preparedness designed to work on skills and disciplines needed to achieve local, state and national K9 certifications. Participating instructors include a mix of current and former law enforcement K9 handlers, along with civilian trainers. The free workshop is made possible through the generous support of corporate and individual donations, including Sioux City-based RP Constructors, a full-service surveying, engineering and construction company.
Debbie Johnson, Founder and CEO of K9s United, said, “After hosting successful K9s United training events across the country, we wanted to expand to the Midwest to support K9s and their law enforcement handlers who put their lives on the line for their local communities each day. That’s why we are thrilled to host 50 K9 teams in Sioux City to take part in the highest levels of training and animal care. With the help of expert law enforcement and civilian K9 instructors, this immersive canine workshop is designed to help ensure participating teams have the tools they need to take back to their hometown agencies, survive in the field and thrive in life.”
Due to budget constraints, many law enforcement agencies don't have adequate funding to provide K9 units with the vital resources they need, including advanced training; active equipment and kennels; vehicle heat alarms and door poppers; canine emergency kits and other larger health expenses. Through community and corporate support, K9s United helps to fill that void and aid law enforcement agencies to ensure their K9 units have the programs and supplies the dogs need most.
In addition to the K9 workshop, every dollar raised by K9s United supports their mission to educate, train and provide vital equipment and services to K9s who serve in the field. The non-profit also has a long-term plan to build a regional training facility in North Florida so they can better train and help protect the loyal K9s serving communities throughout the US.
Those who would like to support K9s United can visit www.K9sUnited.org to make an online donation. Donations to K9s United will also help more law enforcement attend future workshops and expand opportunities for the non-profit to host additional training seminars throughout the country. Supporters can also join in the upcoming Fallen K9 Memorial Run, a virtual run held on Sept. 1 to recognize National Police K9 Day, support K9 units in need and honor the memory of K9s who gave the ultimate sacrifice in 2020.
