Waterford and Ledyard Canine Units recently visited Mr. Gamble’s Criminal Justice classes to showcase the skills and work performed by police dogs on a daily basis.
Students were afforded an opportunity to cultivate an understanding and ask questions about the various duties, tasks, and training that comprise a handler and dog team.
This demonstration deviated from a standard lecture format. As Mr. Gamble voluntarily donned a Kevlar sleeve and took a bite from Ringo, a 120 lb. German Shepherd from the Ledyard Police Department.
No, Mr. Gamble is not a glutton for punishment, he wanted to simulate a real criminal apprehension by a canine.
Officer Dan Lane conducted a narcotic search with his canine, Ike, manifesting the dog’s impressive ability to sniff out drugs, despite attempts to mask or cover the odors.
Officer O’Connell’s dog, Atos, provided a testimony to the countless hours of obedience training that the dogs must endure. Obedience, according to Officer Lane, is the cornerstone of a good and successful police dog.
In order to be selected to be a police canine, the dogs must take part in a series of rigorous and highly completive tests. Throughout the selection process, handlers look for alert, active, outgoing, curious, and confident dispositions in prospective canines. They must also be able to tolerate the sound of gunfire.
Despite the myriad hours a handler must devote to their job, and being on-call 24 hours a day, they will all tell you one thing: it is the best and most rewarding job in police work.