? for Slamdunc - Page 1

Slamdunc, I see you are back.
I had a question when the discussion about the K-9 that died in the car.

Can you tell me if police officers are paid for the time they spend training their dogs or
do they do so on their own free time?  

GSDrules,
Actually, I'm not back I was just checking PM's.  I didn't read the thread you are referring too and I am not going to comment on the K9 related threads posted here and rarely even read them. 


Since you posted to me directly, I'll gladly answer your question based on what my PD does and surrounding jurisdictions.  We have scheduled training days and it is a work day.  We train every Tuesday as a unit.  So our entire unit trains 4 or 5 times a month together.  Training consists of building searches, aggression control, obedience, tracking and narcotics / explosives work.  Some training days are scenario based.  We take turns developing the agenda for the days training, some days are problem solving or areas that need special attention.  I also do firearms training the first Tuesday of each month for the unit.  We do shooting and moving drills and shooting drills with the dogs. 

In addition to our weekly unit training, I also train while on duty working the street.   I may do tracking, building searches and always do obedience at some point in my shift.  If there are several handlers working we may do narcotics training as well. 

I also regularly train on my days off and I do not get compensated for that.   I train in my down time while working, in between calls and on my off time as well. 

Jim

Slamdunc, I just want to say (Good evening to you).

Ibrahim

Thanks, Slamdunc

One more thing I should mention here:  every dog and handler go through a 4 to 5 month school prior to certification.  Even certified dogs and experienced handlers go through the school again if they get a new handler or new certified dog.  Every handler team must go through the school and certify together.  New teams must certify and go through the same school before working together on the street.  Then training as I mentioned above is on going. 

Jim