Canine Officer Duties

Police dogs serve as partners for canine officers.

Individuals who want to pursue a career in law enforcement but also love working with dogs may find that the job of canine officer is a great fit for them. Canine officers work for city, county, state and federal law-enforcement agencies, doing many of the same things other police officers do. The only difference is that instead of having a human partner, they have a canine companion.

Patrol Work

Canine officers often are assigned to patrol duty just as other police officers are. Exactly what's involved in the patrol work can vary according to the type of law-enforcement agency for which a canine officer works. For instance, someone working for the federal Transportation Security Administration may be assigned to airports and seaports sniffing baggage for illegal substances. A canine officer and his dog who work for the Border Patrol may help detect illegal immigrants trying to cross the border. Those working for local police departments or sheriffs' offices may be called on to search crime scenes for hidden drug stashes, or to schools and stadiums to sniff for explosives following bomb threats.

Dog Care

When a regular law-enforcement officer finishes her shift, she gets to say good-bye to her partner and go home. When a canine officer finishes his shift, his canine partner goes home with him. Canine officers are responsible for all facets of their dogs' care and well being, from daily exercise to making sure it's current on vaccinations. Police dogs are not household pets but rather professionally trained working dogs. The human partner must continually reinforce his dog's training to ensure that the canine will respond in a consistent and appropriate manner.

Public Relations Representative

Often, law-enforcement agencies must fight not only crime but also a negative perception among the communities they serve. Canine officers are frequently enlisted to help put forth a positive face for the department. They do this by making appearances at public events such as fairs and festivals, and visiting area schools to teach people about what they do and how their dogs help keep the entire community safe. This is something that any police officer can do. However, having a canine at their side that students and others can pet is a good way to break the ice and show police officers in a light that more people can relate to.

References

• Job Monkey: Becoming a Canine Officer
• City of Mesquite, Nevada: K-9 Officer Job Description
• The Sun: K-9 units play key role in assisting and protecting police officers