K-9 police officers are law enforcement professionals who partner with highly-trained police dogs to execute police duties. These police dogs are a valuable asset to many police departments around the country.
What is K-9 short for?
K9″ or “K-9” is an abbreviation of the English and French word “CANINE” (which simply means “DOG”)
Why are they called K9 teeth?
They are called canines due to their resemblance to a dog’s fangs. While our canine teeth aren’t as long, pronounced or sharp as a dog’s, they are usually longer and more pointed than our other human teeth. Canines are sometimes referred to as eye teeth because of their alignment under the eyes.
What benefits do K-9 officers get?
Benefits of a K9 Program for Police Departments
Drugs and Bombs. A K9s keen sense of smell helps them to detect items that a human officer might miss, especially drugs and bombs. …
Tracking.
A PR Blessing.
Special Events. .
How to Become A K9 Officer In South Africa
Officer Safety and Suspect Apprehension.
Complete the required education and experience to become qualified to become a police officer.
Search and apply for open positions in law enforcement.
Get fingerprinted, pass a comprehensive background investigation.
Complete testing: polygraph test, physical fitness tests, medical exams.
Attend job interviews and get hired as an officer.
Gain patrol experience for at least one or two years, learning as much as possible and growing a network of contacts.
Keep checking for open positions as a K9 officer, applying as positions open.
Interview for the job, get hired and begin training.
Receive your dog and complete team training until you and the dog can operate as a single unit.
Take care of your dog, continue ongoing training and solve crimes.
These duties typically include:
Responding to emergency calls
Patrolling assigned areas of jurisdiction aided by a police dog
Issuing citations, making arrests
Securing crime scenes to avoid contamination of potential evidence
Locating and collecting evidence
Writing reports
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
Branches of military use K9s for many singular specialized purposes:
Sentry: The dog is tasked with warning handlers to unfamiliar presences, guarding gear, equipment and other supplies.
Scout or patrol: These dogs are trained to work silently, detecting enemy forces, such as snipers or ambushes lying-in-wait.
Casualty: Casualty dogs participate in search and rescue missions, using their training to locate and report casualties found in difficult locations.
Explosives detection: As the name implies, these canines are trained to detect explosives hidden on a person, vehicle or location.
Narcotics detection: This job has the same kinds of duties as EDs, but with drugs instead of explosives.
Additional requirements of a K9 officer
A K9 officer will have to undergo regular police education and training, along with other certifications for dog handling and training:
Education: To become a police officer, it is required to have earned at least a high school diploma or equivalent, however, many employers prefer a candidate to hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Training: Successful completion of a 12- to 14-week police academy course plus two to three years of patrol experience are required to become eligible to apply for a position in the K-9 unit.
The officer is then assigned a dog, and intensive training commences, in which the pair completes simulations and exercises focusing on agility and obedience, search, tracking and scouting, bite and protection work, suspect apprehension scenarios and tactical deployment exercises. The officer must successfully complete coursework relating to canine behavior and first aid techniques.
Certifications: Organizations dedicated to training and working with canine police dogs offer certification programs, the completion of which can give you a competitive advantage in getting hired or promoted.
Some organizations include The U.S. Police Canine Association, The National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, The North American Police Work Dog Association, The National Police Canine Association and more.
Skills needed to become a K9 officer
Success in this role tends to rely on your possession of the following skills:
Mental and physical stamina. Officers and their K9 partners must remain alert through the duration of their shifts, often staying on their feet for long stretches of time.
Interpersonal skills. Officers and K9s often present public demonstrations to increase awareness in the community about the K9 unit’s contribution to mitigating crime in the area. These demonstrations may take place at schools, municipal facilities and other local venues.
Communication skills. A K9 officer has the responsibility of communicating with not only their colleagues and the community at large, but they must maintain immaculate communication with their dog at all times. Additionally, K9 officers must be able to decipher subtle signals and changes in behavior from their canine partners.
Love and respect for animals. To work with animals in any capacity, you must respect them, fulfill their needs and show compassion toward them. Your K9 dog is your partner, therefore, there will be times when you must be able to protect each other’s life. Trust them and they’ll trust you.
What education do you need to be a K9 officer In South Africa?
A K9 officer must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and must also generally have an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law, or police science. This helps to be competitive with admission to the police academy and K9 officer applications
How do I become a dog handler in South Africa?
A person must at least have a Grade 10 Certificate to enrol for the Dog handler courses. This course is for the experienced and inexperienced dog handler. A person who has enough experience with dog handling, but needs to put his knowledge to a certificate can apply for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).
What qualifications do you need to work with police dogs In South Africa?
For example, to become a police dog handler, you will usually need at least three years’ experience of police work before being able to transfer to the dog section. In the army, you would go through basic soldier training before joining the Military Working Dog Regiment.
How much does a dog handler earn in South Africa?
R85,090 (ZAR)/yr.
Why are they called K9 teeth?
They are called canines due to their resemblance to a dog’s fangs. While our canine teeth aren’t as long, pronounced or sharp as a dog’s, they are usually longer and more pointed than our other human teeth. Canines are sometimes referred to as eye teeth because of their alignment under the eyes.
Is K9 a breed?
A German Shepherd is one of the most common types of K9 security dogs and were the first ever dog to be chosen and used as a K9. However, there are many different breeds of dogs that provide police services.
What skills do you need to be a K9 officer?
Skills needed to become a K9 officer
Mental and physical stamina. Officers and their K9 partners must remain alert through the duration of their shifts, often staying on their feet for long stretches of time.
Interpersonal skills.
Communication skills.
Love and respect for animals.
Do you need to be qualified to be a dog trainer In South Africa?
You don’t need any formal qualifications to become a dog trainer or dog training instructor. You don’t need any specific school subjects. As always, good GCSEs in maths, English and science will give you the basic knowledge and skills to carry out important tasks associated with any job.
Where can I study animal behavior in South Africa?
WHERE CAN I STUDY?
COAPE International CC. Diploma in Animal Behaviour & Pet Owner courses.
University of Zululand. Bachelor of Science: Agriculture (Animal Science)
University of Venda.
North-West University.
University of Stellenbosch.
The Animal Behaviour Consultants of Southern Africa.
The Ethology Academy.
How long does it take to become a dog trainer In South Africa?
The time it takes to become a dog trainer depends on the path one takes in their training. It can take several weeks or several months to complete a training program or six months to a year to complete an apprenticeship.