A glance contained in the Texas DPS Okay-9 Coaching Program
FOX takes an inside take a look at the Texas Division of Public Security’s elite Okay-9 program, the place rigorous coaching transforms inexperienced canines into extremely expert models specializing in drug detection, explosives, and monitoring.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Division of Public Security (DPS) is increasing its Okay-9 coaching program, deploying extremely skilled canines to help with drug interdiction, explosive detection, and monitoring missions throughout the state.
Lt. Boyd Lamb, a 19-year veteran of DPS and a member of the Okay-9 program for 12 years, took FOX on a tour of their coaching facility in Florence, Texas that transforms untrained canines into specialised legislation enforcement property.
Okay-9 VETERAN OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN REUNITED WITH HANDLER
“We take a dog from a green dog that knows absolutely nothing and transform that dog into a working machine,” Lt. Lamb mentioned. “Whether that needs to be drug detection, explosive detection, or a tracking dog, we start here with the basics and then send them out across Texas.”
Texas DPS canines observe acclimating to “controlled chaos” whereas boarding helicopter. (Sarah Alegre)
This system prides itself on publicity to real-life eventualities, together with managed chaos conditions akin to helicopter deployments.
“Any kind of exposure we can introduce them to is critical,” Lt. Lamb mentioned. “We want to make sure that once they get out there…whether it’s an explosive detection mission or a drug interdiction operation…they can perform without shutting down.”
DPS at present runs 74 Okay-9 groups statewide, together with 51 drug detection groups, 9 explosive detection groups, and roughly 13 monitoring groups. Many of those teams are deployed as a part of Operation Lone Star, a state initiative to cease drug smuggling and unauthorized border crossings. Monitoring canines, particularly, play a serious function on the border, serving to within the apprehension of individuals attempting to flee legislation enforcement.
Okay-9 handler Landon Ravun is stationed in Del Rio and is well-prepared for any situation. Physique digicam footage reveals his coaching put to good use throughout a mission final summer season when Ravun and his Okay-9, Bona, tracked down a fugitive wished for homicide.
“It’s a super important job that we do. Getting to go behind her and watch the capabilities and the amazing things she can do is incredible,” Ravun mentioned.
Border canines observe real-life expertise of monitoring down unauthorized personnel in rugged terrain. (Sarah Alegre)
CBP RELEASES MARCH BORDER CROSSINGS NUMBERS
The coaching program for handlers and their canines is intensive, with every pair present process 9 weeks of joint instruction after the canine completes a pre-training section that lasts between six and 15 weeks.
Lt. Lamb emphasised the significance of the handler-dog relationship, noting that “these dogs become part of the handler’s family. When I graduated with my dog in 2014, she became part of my life. When she retired, my family got to spend time with her, but when she passed away in 2022, it was like losing a family member.”
TRUMP SALUTES ‘ FEARLESS’ MILITARY POLICE DOGS
Past border enforcement and drug detection, the DPS Okay-9 program has additionally performed an necessary function in search-and-rescue missions. One among our monitoring canines helped find a 38-year-old particular wants man who wandered away in Los Naples Park. He had been lacking for 4 to 6 hours, was severely dehydrated, and wanted fast assist.
“Our K-9 team found him and got him back to his family,” Lt. Lamb recalled. “That moment alone made the entire program worth it.”
Okay-9 Frio takes in aerial views whereas adjusting to new heights. (Sarah Alegre)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
With ongoing enlargement efforts, DPS goals to additional combine Okay-9 models into operations throughout Texas, guaranteeing that legislation enforcement has extremely skilled canines prepared for any mission.
