Police dogs are an important law enforcement tool. The primary purpose for using a police dog is as a locating tool because of its superior sensory abilities. When properly used, they are a tool for crime prevention and a community resource.

Law Enforcement Administrators who are responsible for the effectiveness of their departments and the economy of their administration in combating crime in their communities need solutions.

I am sure you will agree that a well trained police canine is an important asset to a police administrator.

The courts in our country have determined that these well trained canines must be certified in various things such as obedience, tracking, narcotic and explosive detection as well as apprehension work. You can see that this is good for both the police and the citizens that live in their communities.

The United States Police Canine Association, Region 12 Inc. has been instrumental in providing training and certifications for over 35 years. Our members have been recognized for such things as top police canine team in the country, top department team and for being leaders in the canine community. Millions of dollars in cash and drugs have been taken off the street by Region 12 members. Our canine handlers have assisted with the capture of many high profile crime figures.

Police dogs are initially trained for 12 weeks and then return home to work. A minimum of 16 hours per month is required to keep these teams in a consistently ready state. This is called maintenance training. This is where Region 12 helps the handlers and their canine partners.

Region 12 has also provided administrators with classes to help insure a well run canine program. We have also provided training in all areas of concern for those police canine units. Recently we provided classes for officers on how to testify in court and how to write proper police reports.

We have attended the Police Chiefs Convention in an attempt to provide them with the latest thoughts and ideas to keep their teams current with the industry standards in police canine as well as answer any questions they might have.

You can see we have been a great resource for all police administrators and their canine teams.

Training of police canines from local police agencies has suffered because of budgetary issues. Many of the classes we provide are free and we would like to continue doing this. Unfortunately we won’t be able to continue providing these services without your help.

In the future we plan to continue our local training, but our goal is to continue bringing recognized trainers such as Dr. Steward Hilliard from the Department of Defense in Texas who came in last year to help the handlers with Behavior classes. In 2008 we want to bring in a group called Desert Snow. They will help the handlers recognize how shipments of illegal drugs continue to come into our area and ways to stop them. The cost is high but we feel it is a necessary goal to start winning the battle against drugs.

Every night on TV you can see the crimes that shame our society today. You can also understand and see the need for properly trained canine units now more than ever before.

Please help us so we can continue the good work we have been doing for so long. Help make a difference; make a donation today! We are a non-profit organization and your gift is tax deductible.

To make a donation please follow one of these links. (Microsoft Word)

For more information contact:

Mark McDonough   Email

President; USPCA Region 12 Inc.

www.uspcaregion12.com