K9 Divison

Canine Dag and his handler, Sgt. Gary Sovey, are members of the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers (NAPCH). The Police Patrol Dog Title is presented when all of the following test areas have been successfully completed within a timely manner according to the NAPCH Master Trainer: Narcotics detection (vehicle & building), obedience, article search, area search, tracking, building search, and aggression control.

• Narcotics test is to determine the dog’s ability to detect narcotics in vehicles, buildings, and any other designed area determined by the Master Trainer.
• Obedience test is to determine the handler’s ability to control their dog off lead with obedience skills that all Police/Professional Service Dogs should possess.
• Article search test is a comprehensive evaluation of the Team’s ability to locate items that have recent human odor on them.
• Area search test is a comprehensive evaluation of the Team’s ability to locate a hidden human being in an outdoor area.
• Tracking test is designed to show that the canine is capable of tracking an unknown person in an unfamiliar area, testing the handler’s ability to work as a team, and the handler’s ability to read their canine.
• Building search test is a comprehensive evaluation of the Team’s ability to locate a human being hiding in a closed structure and not visible to the K9 Team.
• Aggression control test is a comprehensive evaluation of the Team’s control and courage under situations simulating on-duty encounters which includes but not limited to false start, call out, recall, gunfire, pat down, and apprehension.