Interested in working with K9′s and becoming an officer?
Looking into going back to school and criminal justice is one of my major interests for school. Dogs and training are a huge part of my life as well. I am thinking becoming an officer and working with K9′s might be the correct fit for the type of job I am looking for.
Just wondering if someone can give me insight on anything about it or how to get started. From what I read I need a degree in criminal justice and then to join a police academy. After that I can start as an officer than work my way up to the K9 unit. Does anyone know how long an academy takes to train in? Is it possible for me to maybe volunteer at a unit to make sure the job is right for me? How does one get into training K9s for not just police work, but military purpose? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Trying to research this on google and police sites is giving me a lot of different info and not really answering what I want to know. I live in the state of Oregon if that helps any.
Every police department has different educational requirements. If you meet them, and the other requirements, you take the competitive civil service examination to be hired. If you pass the background, physical and psychological tests, to get hired as a police officer. Most departments send recruits to the academy, however, some states will let civilians pay their own way to the police academy, and that sometimes enhances eligibility to be hired by some departments. After being hired, and working for several years and performing well, if the department has a K9 program, you could apply for that training and assignment. It is the same in the military. Once you have a military occupational specialty or rating that includes K9 handlers in their ranks, you can apply for that assignment. But, very few are chosen. I have spent almost 40 years in law enforcement and have both military and civilian K( handlers in my family.
Special Police Training for Thai Canines
