Shelter dog Argie becomes newest K9 to join the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office
Most often when a dog joins the police force as a K9, they come from a selection of specially trained dogs. These highly prized and trained dogs can cost anywhere north of $20,000 or more. Sometimes, though, as in the case of Argie, a police K9 can come from a more mundane background.
Argie began life as a simple shelter dog
Argie, a Belgian Malinois, started life as a shelter dog at a facility in Maryland. Argie’s breed is an especially prized one for police work and so when Argie was found by a master trainer with the Richmond City Police, he was donated to their program. Argie then trained under the master trainers from the Chesterfield and Richmond Police Departments.
Argie trains for his new life as a police K9
Certified under the Virginia Police Work Dog Association, Argie joined the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office as its newest K9 Unit after his training. With the sheriff’s office, he will continue his training. He is currently serving as a narcotics detection dog with the department.
Argie is not the first K9 on the force
In addition to Argie, the Powhattan Sheriff’s Office also employs K9 Officer Bane. With the rank of sergeant, K9 Bane is an integral part of the Powhattan force. He even has his own Facebook page, where the department posts about his exploits and those of the other officers who work at the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office.
What police K9s do
As a part of a law enforcement department, police K9s perform a variety of crucial tasks. One of the most important is the apprehension of suspects. Once a suspect has been located, the K9 Unit moves in to accost the hem by clamping down on an arm or leg. This allows the dog to hold the suspect and keep them from fleeing while they are secured by other officers.
Argie is trained as a narcotics detection dog
Another task that police K9s undertake, and Argie’s primary job with his department, is the detection of narcotics and other illegal substances. Detection dogs are also used to track and find suspects who have fled the police and in the capacity of search and rescue when looking for missing persons or people trapped in a natural disaster.
How a dog becomes a police K9
The first step in becoming a police K9 is learning the basic obedience skills needed to remain disciplined on the job. Not only does this help them obey orders, but it also allows the dogs to keep their inherent aggression in check and the amount of force used against a suspect. In addition to obedience training, a police K9 also receives endurance and agility training, and specialty training related to their job as a K9.
For more on the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office, visit the organization’s Facebook page. Here is a video with more on what is involved with training a K9 for police work.
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