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Proper handler selection is one of the most critical tasks that will determine the long term success or lack thereof with your program. P roperly selected and trained K9 teams are an invaluable asset to law enforcement. The mere presence of a K9 team can deter crime and reduce the likelihood of use of force by offcers. A dog���s excellent scenting ability can quickly locate the presence of contraband, evidence, concealed suspects, or missing endangered persons. Through asset forfeiture, my dogs have paid for themselves many times over. Some law enforcement agencies start and end K9 programs that could have been ��� should have been ��� very successful. In order for a K9 program to be successful there are certain criteria which must be present. They are: 1) proper handler selection, 2) proper K9 selection, 3) selecting the right trainer for your program, and 4) provide adequate supervision and support for your teams. Proper Handler Selection Proper handler selection is one of the most critical tasks that will determine the long term success or lack thereof with your program. Selecting a good handler prospect may be the most diffcult portion when establishing or adding a K9 handler position. There are certain ���perks��� offcers receive when assigned as a K9 handler. Some of these are a take home vehicle, extra compensation for care and maintenance of the animal, not having to work in patrol districts, not having to respond to certain types of calls. Many very good offcers and prospective handlers are attracted to the position for the wrong reasons and sometimes administrators select these people to become K9 handlers. Handlers may be selected as a reward for years of service, for being a good offcer, or for many other reasons that are not enough to ensure the long term success of a program. When handlers are improperly selected, the teams almost never reach their potential. The program usually starts to suffer when the novelty wears off, which sometimes shows itself soon after the inception of the team. If a good candidate is not available, it may be better to put the addition on hold until the right person is ready. To be a successful K9 handler, one requires a level of dedication that extends far beyond what any law enforcement agency could ever compensate. As almost all police service dogs in North America live at home with their handlers, this is a job that literally goes home with the handler every day, and dogs are a long term commitment. Most police service dogs are high energy animals that are not always the best house pets. And they shed a lot. The ideal handler should have a genuine love for dogs and strong desire to work with them. The handler should be a leader, self-motivated, open minded, and patient; a person that makes sound decisions both on and off duty. Handlers should not have a history of questionable use of force incidents as they need to respect the rights of others and become experts in case law, staying current with the law as it evolves. In addition to the above, some of the best handlers are those who have volunteered their off duty time to train with working dog teams, before becoming a handler themselves. These people, who participate because they enjoy it, usually understand the level of commitment needed to be successful. www.lawandordermag.com 69