WMPD K9 Police Units making a big difference

The WMPD and Southland Casino have recently added more police dogs to their security teams

By DONALD WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Of_cers with the West Memphis Police Interdiction Unit, assigned to the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, have had a busy summer making signi_cant drug seizures. During the months of July and August, they have seized over $100,000 in drug proceeds, two kilograms of cocaine, and hundreds of prescription pills.

The WMPD have been

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Police dogs are responsible for hundreds of arrests every year in Arkansas.

Photos by WMPD

Despite popular belief, not all K9 dogs are German Shepherds.

Police dogs go through rigorous training programs. Not all of them have what it takes to graduate.

This fella is going to make sure anyone breaking the law is going to have a “ruff” day.

Even Southland Casino has implemented the use of K9 in their security.

Credit: Southland Casino DOGS

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using a variety of tactics to make these significant seizures, including the increased use of drug sniffing K9 units. These specially trained canines are used in a variety of operations, including sniffing out drugs at airports, seaports, border crossings, and even in vehicles during traffic stops.

The training of K9 police dogs for drug detection begins at a young age, usually around 1-2 years old. The dogs are selected based on their high energy levels, intelligence, and strong work ethic. They undergo intensive training to develop their sense of smell and ability to detect various drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. The dogs are trained using positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding them with treats or toys when they successfully identify a drug scent.

The dogs are able to detect the smell of drugs even in very small quantities, making them highly effective in locating hidden drug shipments or drugs concealed in vehicles or luggage. Their sense of smell is estimated to be thousands of times stronger than that of a human, allowing them to sniff out drugs in hard-to-reach places or concealed compartments.

In drug sniffing operations, K9 police dogs are often deployed in teams with their handler, who is typically a trained police officer. The dogs are used to perform sweeps of areas where drugs are suspected to be present, such as vehicles, buildings, or luggage. When the dog detects the presence of drugs, they are trained to alert their handler by sitting down or scratching at the location where the drugs are hidden.

In addition to their effectiveness in drug detection, K9 police dogs serve as a deterrent to would-be drug traffickers. The presence of a trained dog can discourage individuals from attempting to smuggle drugs into a particular area, knowing that they are at risk of being detected by the canines. This creates a safer environment for law enforcement officers and the general public, as it reduces the flow of drugs into communities and helps to disrupt the operations of drug trafficking organizations.

Last month, Southland Casino announced the implementation of their own six-dog K9 Unit in order to enhance the security and safety of their guests.