Information on a Puppy Patrol
Since 1993, Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime (DAD/DAC) National Law Enforcement K-9 Association has been teaching children about drugs and violence through the Puppy Patrol. Police officers who are team members of DAD/DAC go into schools with their K-9 dogs to teach these lessons. According to DAD/DAC, this program has been taught to more than 1 million American children.
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The Program
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The program is designed to teach children the importance of not taking drugs and the consequences of committing crimes. The police officer is portrayed as a friend for the children to talk to. He answers questions and, after the session, gives each child a T-shirt that says, "The Top Dogs Are Drug Free!" According to the DAD/DAC website, Puppy Patrol targets preschool and elementary-school children. Using the canine in the presentation helps keep the children's focus. Puppy Patrol is funded by donations and fundraising.
Guidelines for Puppy Patrol Officers
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According to the DAD/DAC website, if a police officer wants to present Puppy Patrol, she must follow guidelines. Puppy Patrol material must be requested at least 30 days in advance. Every child must be awarded a Puppy Patrol participation certificate and given a DAD/DAC brochure at the end of the session.
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Incentive Program
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DAD/DAC offers an incentive program for any police officer who completes a Puppy Patrol presentation. According to the DAD/DAC website, after an officer gives five presentations, he will receive a DAD/DAC baseball cap. After 10, he will be awarded a DAD/DAC sweatshirt. A flight jacket will be given after 25 presentations; after the 50th, the officer will get a $100 gift certificate to a K-9 vendor.
Membership
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To become a member, a police officer must first fill out an application, then mail a $35 check to DAD/DAC, along with certification documents on his K-9 dog, a photo of himself with his dog and any media coverage the K-9 team has received.
Benefits
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Members of DAD/DAC receive subscriptions to "K-9 Cop" magazine. The DAD/DAC website also states that all educational material needed to present Puppy Patrol will be supplied. Participants are allowed to submit articles about the K-9 unit to the DAD/DAC magazine. The DAD/DAC goal is to help with K-9 operations by giving grants to officers who need equipment or training. According to DAD/DAC, it has donated over $500,000 in services nationwide to officers participating in DAD/DAC.
About DAD/DAC
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According to the DAD/DAC website, the not-for-profit organization was founded by police officers who wanted to help children understand the importance of becoming productive members of society. It also is concerned about the pressure drugs and violence have on children. Puppy Patrol also focuses on K-9 training, and offers workshops for K-9 officers about police service dogs.
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