importance of police work.”
When it comes to simulations, the handlers replicate reallife
situations, going to great lengths to achieve authenticity.
“We use cadavers, money, wild game — even lobsters to
teach scents,” Beath says, “anything a criminal is willing
to steal. We engage in confrontations, riot control, building
searches and explosives detection. The dogs who specialize in
narcotics can detect up to six or seven illegal substances.”
Building trust between partners is vital. The K-9 teams
are expected to perform in many situations — some dangerous,
some routine. Dogs on patrol are trained to protect their
handlers and locate crime scene evidence. They respond to
hand gestures and verbal cues — some in foreign languages,
depending on the origin of the animal.
CANINE MEDICAL TRAINING
Last year, during two days of training with the Port St.
Lucie Police Department, K-9 handler teams from as far as
California attended the Tactical Canine Casualty Care Course.
The officers participated in mock emergency events to learn
how to medically treat their K-9 dogs when injured on the
job. Dr. Janice Baker of the Veterinary Tactical Group, a consulting
agency in Vass, N.C., facilitated the officer training.
K-9 officers face physical risks on a daily basis — just like
their handlers. Potential dangers to the dogs are being kicked,
punched, shot, stabbed or worse by fleeing suspects including
blunt force trauma such as being assaulted with a weapon
or other dangerous objects like a baseball bat or tire iron.
Teams working in apprehension, search and rescue, tracking
or explosive detection are at greater risk of injury due to
environmental hazards like severe weather, wildlife, sharp >>
LAW ENFORCEMENT
K-9 Officer Blek and Officer Fazio are members of the city police department’s
narcotics team.
Port St. Lucie Magazine 11
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