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| Police dog handler |
Background data
Serving as a police dog handler is a delicate and sophisticated role. You are charged with the responsibility of working with a dog that is specially trained. Its care and control are your key responsibilities. This is a sacrifice that only a person who has love, passion and interest in animals can accomplish this task. This is due to the fact that, police dogs live almost entirely with their handlers.
Work cut-out
· The handler and the dog must work as a team if any crime detection or prevention is to take place. Dog handlers mainly work for the Army, private security firms, the police, the RAF and in HM Revenue and Customs e.g. in airports. In this case, our main interest is the work cut out for the police dog and the police dog handler whom work together to resolve various issues. Their tasks are:
· Searching for explosives and other illegal drugs from being smuggled in and out of certain places.
· Tracking missing people by following scents.
· Chasing and apprehending armed criminals.
· Guarding prisoners in prison facilities.
· Searching for human remains.
· Supporting the armed officers in their line of duty.
· Controlling crowds in various places e.g. during strikes and football matches.
What does it take to become a police dog handler?
The regular training is mandatory for both the police dog handlers and the canines themselves. The police dog handlers are issued with highly specialized training which incorporates tools like the bite-suit. A number of state and local enforcement agencies require that all their officers meet a certain level of education so as to be generally acceptable as officers. This is normally college education whereas the federal agencies demand bachelor’s degrees in fields such as; criminology, law enforcement, administration of justice and criminal justice. Thereafter, is when the law enforcement training is done and later after a pass in this category, on is required to apply in the K-9 division ( K-9; abbreviation for canines) where one becomes a police dog handler after completion of the oral and performance tests. It is also important to note that, for one to become a police dog handler, on may have to study and learn German as the police dogs are mainly got from Germany and some use their native �language’ to take orders. After successful selection in the unit, the police dog handlers are expected to participate in an active formal training with the dogs they are assigned together with other handler teams. This is normally to ensure that police dog handlers and their dogs maintain their skills and learn new procedures of doing their work.
Skills, interests and qualities of a police dog handler
· Patience. In this line of work, patience is as key as learning the ropes of the job. The police dog handler has to have patience with the dog in its learning curve of skills and in its working like; picking up scents and trailing suspects.
· Good observation skills. In a crime scene or when trailing a criminal who has run into the woods, as the police dog handler, you are expected to be highly keen on the tracks of the suspects in order to direct the dog on the direction of movement.
· Exemplary ability to judge a situation accurately and react in real time. As a police dog handler, quick precision and accurate decision making is crucial. In the case of chasing after a suspect, thinking ahead of the action is paramount so as to be able to stay safe and keep the dog safe too.
· The experience and ability to help the dog work efficiently and look after its needs. As it is the case with all animals, the dog cannot communicate by speech and thus, as the handler, one has to be keen with the dog’s needs.
· Self-confidence. In the line of work as a police dog handler, self confidence is key so as to be thorough and comprehensive in carrying out the duties in the police force.
