Police K9s, Handlers Learn New Tricks to Catch Criminals | Video

Retha Colclasure | 8/17/2010

Criminals are constantly changing the way they do business, so police officers are, too. And some training for K9 handlers helps keep them up with the latest in the war on drugs.

Police officers and K9s from across the state are spending the week in Bismarck.

They`re learning from a K9 instructor who`s considered one of the best in the business.

K9s and their handlers with all levels of experience are learning a few new things in training. "Instead of hunting rabbits, we`re going to get them to hunt for marijuana or cocaine," explained K9 instructor Leroy Azlin.

The dogs already know what they`re doing, and much of this training is focused on the handlers and their interaction with the dog.

Azlin said, "If the odor`s there and they detect it, we want to make sure the handler recognizes that."

Even handlers like Bismarck Police Sgt. Lyle Sinclair, who has years of experience, say there`s always something new to learn.

"There`s times on a search Nick will get excited and try to get ahead of me. Tweak it by stepping in front when I started searching," said Sinclair.

Sinclair says being a K9 handler is a continuous learning process.

"These guys from way down south see more than we do," added Sinclair. "More narcotics, people hiding them different. They bring that up here."

And if officers and their dogs know what criminals are doing they can adapt their searching style to make sure they find it.

Azlin says the point of continuous training is to put more criminals in jail, and he hopes this training will help officers accomplish that.

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