How do i become a k-9 unit police officer?

Question

is there like a website or anything i can look at about careers in the police force.

Answer 1

It really depends on the department you get hired on to. In Wisconsin a lot of the smaller departments don't have K-9 units (but are slowly getting them over time) and depend on assists from other jurisdictions or the DOJ if available for their work.

As previously stated, the majority of officers I have seen take K-9 positions when they come up have years of on the job experience as partolman. This is because they are now handling their regular patrol duties in addition to taking the added responsbility of deploying a dual purpose dog, which comes with about (this on average, give or take depending on your department and what training/facility you choose) $30,000 or more of additional costs and training in itself; added responsibility means they might be patrolling and get called to an assist and deploy their dog for officer assistance, or deploy the dog in a drug search; now that officer is filling out paperwork not just for that call, but also for the dog (stats, etc., again, depeding on department policy). A new officer, a rookie, is going to have a enough time on his or her hands learning the ropes, let alone all the added responsibility that the dog throws into the picture. I don't think I've worked with or met a K-9 copper with less than, jeez, 7 or 10 years experience under their belt already. I'm not saying that it can't happen, I'm just saying that in my experience, and I work "closely" every day with police and sheriff line personnel from various jurisdictions in my job, I've never worked with a newer officer who had a K-9 unit.

So, as someone else said, focus on getting onto a department first, then focus on getting a K-9 position. Also, look into working closley with dogs, as a hobby, whether it be K-9 Search and Rescue, Schutzhund, or something of that sort. Typically it's not a "prereq," but it helps if you have a background in working with dogs. You also need to know that these positions are coveted, and they are few and far between unless you are working on a department that is big, in a major metropolis. This is due to costs and ongoing officer training every month in order for the dog/handler team to stay certified. Several, several thousand dollars goes into each dog/handler team for ongoing training and recert every month--this is a drawback for most small departments, and a big source of community support. So, you may want to look "big" in your hunt for a department, as well, if that is your ultimate goal. Alot of a smaller town sheriffs and chiefs are still not sold on dual purpose or even sole purpose dogs due to "liability" issues and such....

Answer 2

K9 is a speciality position in most departments, kind of like SWAT, Bomb, Detective, Motor officer, etc...
Get hired as an officer first, read alot about what speciality you like, get to know the guys, and show interest (a great way is to volunteer for the k9 training (bite suit!) Then, when a position becomes available you can apply and be ready to interview!

Answer 3

BECOME A POLICE OFFICER FIRST AND THEN APPLY. USUALLY HAVE TO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH DOG HANDLING. AND TWO YEARS AS A PATROLMAN.

WHEN ELECTED YOU AND A DOG WILL BE PAIRED AND THAT DOG WILL RESPOND TO YOUR COMMAND VOICE ONLY. S/HE DOG WILL BECOME A PART OF YOUR FAMILY AND WILL ONLY KNOW THEM AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF LOVE AND AFFECTION.

Answer 4

first dont bark all the time,then find a cop to put a collar on you.and teach you who to bite,good luck fido...