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POLICE DOGS (K-9)

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POLICE DOGS. Dogs have been used in law enforcement since the Middle Ages. Wealth and money was then tithed in the villages for the upkeep of the parish constable's bloodhounds that were used for hunting down outlaws. Bloodhounds used in Scotland were known as "Slough dogs" – the word "Sleuth", (meaning detective) was derived from this. (1)

A police dog, known in some English-speaking countries as a "K-9" or "K9" (a homophone of "canine"), is a dog that is specifically trained to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel. Their duties include: searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime scene evidence, and attacking people targeted by the police. Police dogs must remember several verbal cues and hand gestures. The most commonly used breeds are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound, Dutch Shepherd, and Retriever breeds.Recently, the Belgian Malinois has become the dog of choice for police and military work due to their intense drive and focus. Malinois are smaller and more agile than German Shepherds, and have fewer health issues. However, a well-bred working line German shepherd is just as successful and robust as a Malinois. (2)

In many countries, the intentional injuring or killing of a police dog is a criminal offense. (3)

In 2000 the DUBUQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT and the Dubuque County deputies formed a committee to research the benefits of a K-9 unit, the breeds of dog, equipment and raining need, and the selection of the handler. They decided on the Malinois because it had a work life of about eleven years. The type of dog was smaller and could handle heat and humidity better than German shepherds and seemed to put forth 100% effort all the time. (4)

In 2001 the first canine to join the K-9 unit was Iwan (pronounced "evon") a 60 pound Belgian Malinois. He had been trained in Belgium and certified in tracking, obedience and some narcotics work. The committee found him through the Vohn Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana which matched the handler's personality with the dog. The kennels was also the site of the five-week training course both the handler and the dog's master, Randy Roy, were later enrolled. Both the handler and dog were given a week to bond before training began. Roy, a five year veteran of the force, had to learn all the commands in the Dutch language he would be giving Iwan. (5) Once on the local police force, Officer Roy spent between fifty and sixty hours per month training his partner.

In May, 2002 Iwan placed second overall at the Police Dog Olympics where he competed against 54 dogs from 12 states. He also joined the department's tactical unit which allowed him to assist in high-response drug searches and warrant execution. In August, 2002 Officer Roy and Iwan had searched dozens of vehicles, found more than five pounds of drugs, and likely saved a young man's life. The young man, one of three attempting to burglarize the DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY was found by Iwan in a locked beer cooler in which he would have likely suffocated. Iwan had also assisted other law enforcement agencies in Iowa and Illinois. (6)

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

In 2011 the K9s4COPS program of Houston, Texas begun by Kristi Schiller donated "Brix", a Belgian Malinois born in the Czech Republic, to the Dubuque Police Department. Usually police dogs cost between $10,000 and $15,000. In 2015 Corporal Brian Wullweber, who learned to give "Brix" commands in Czech, and "Brix" were featured on the "Steve Harvey" show. Since becoming a member of the Dubuque police force, Brix won national recognition for his skills in tracking, narcotics investigations, and obedience.

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Source:

1. "Police Dog," Wikipedia, Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_dog

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Greene, Kylie, "Police Rookie Prepares to Take a Bite Out of Crime," Telegraph Herald, July 7, 2001, p. 1A

5. Ibid., p. 2A

6. Greene, Kylie, "K-9 Helping Dubuque Police Collar Criminals, Handler Says," Telegraph Herald, December 2, 2002, p. 1A