Police Dog Training in North Carolina

Police dogs, often referred to as K-9s, serve alongside police officers to track, patrol and perform other duties where their superior sense of smell is needed. Dogs and officers work more effectively when they are trained as a team, says Master Police Officer Mark Shue, president of the North Carolina Police Dog Association (NCPDA). "Also," says Shue, "training together shows the handler how to fix any problems that may come up later if some skills need sharpening."

  1. Skills

    • Training refines the tracking instinct.

      During training, the police officer learns to give verbal and hand commands, while the dog is trained according to the needs of the individual police department. Picking up a scent in an urban setting takes a different technique than tracking through woods or wetlands. Depending on the situation, dogs may need to sniff out narcotics, explosives or contraband in cars or buildings. Others learn to patrol recreational areas to find illegally hunted wildlife.

    Trainers

    • Some police departments have their own trainers. Officer Shue oversees the canine unit of the Salisbury Police Department. Others rely on privately owned training facilities for both initial and follow-up work. For experienced teams ready to learn advanced tracking skills, the North Carolina Community College System provides in-service classes at no cost to law enforcement professionals.

    Time and Cost

    • The initial training of dog and handler takes six to eight weeks, depending on the number of skills being taught. At a private training ground, the cost in 2010 for the dog itself plus all training can total $16,000. Police departments with in-house instructors purchase untrained dogs for around $6,000. Since the training takes place on site, they save the cost of room, board and extra tuition. After graduation, teams practice regularly to improve their performance.

    Breeds

    • Shepherd breeds have a protective temperament.

      Effective police dogs must have confidence and eagerness to pursue prey, a combination that experienced evaluators can observe even in puppies. Popular breeds include the bloodhound, Belgian Malinois, German shepherd, Czech shepherd and Labrador retriever. Personal preference plays a role in breed selection: the Wilson, North Carolina police force, for example, trains only Belgian Malinois and Czech shepherds.

    Certification

    • While North Carolina police dogs legally do not have to be trained to a certain standard or tested by any authority, most departments seek certification by organizations such as the NCPDA. Officer Shue points out that using an uncertified dog can reduce credibility, opening a police force to lawsuits and dismissed cases. In his opinion, "every canine unit should be certified by a neutral association."