September 20, 2016
STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
K9 Solutions Australia is working in conjunction with Victoria Police's Special Operations Group to provide a tactical police dog capability second to none.
“We have been working with Victoria Police for nearly six months to get where we are today. We are absolutely thrilled and excited by the opportunity to work with such an important and established organisation. I think it says a lot about the quality of our training, and those conducting it, that such a great opportunity has presented itself so early in the journey...it is a huge milestone for the team", says K9 Solutions Australia's Director and Trainer Jason Kelly.
Under the partnership, K9 Solutions Australia is tasked with collaboratively working with the Victorian Police to incorporate their core training methods into the current training regime.
Jason adds “Incorporating our training methods into any established training program does, in our opinion, elevate the training to a higher level, a better standard than what is currently available."
"Traditional methods rely on the use of equipment as a cue to engaging. Our team don't do that, we make the man the focus."
Director and trainer Ben Geurts adds "Although it seems to have come quite quickly, it is a result of a lot of hard work. It gives us great confidence that our training methods, some that differ considerably from conventional methods, have struck a chord with some of the right people in the industry."
"Traditional methods rely on the use of equipment as a cue to engaging" continues Ben, ”Our team doesn't do that, we make the man the focus. We create a strong man focus through less reliance on equipment than traditional trainers, which combined with an ongoing foundation based upon the 'civil picture', produces canines that are active, highly trainable and perfect for use by tactical units".
"I think it says a lot about the quality of our training, and those conducting it, that such a great opportunity has presented itself so early in the journey."
K9 Solutions Australia specialises in providing canine tactical training services to military and law enforcement organisations. Their courses are highly customisable and have been designed so they can be easily adapted to meet each organisation’s individual needs.
VICTORIA POLICE DOG SQUAD
Records show that even in the Middle Ages dogs were maintained by parish constables for the purpose of tracking down wrongdoers, but it is really only over the last 30 years that dogs have been used in substantial numbers by police forces around the world. It was decided that Victoria Police should form a Dog Squad in 1975.
Police dog handlers respond to complaints of intruders on premises, break and entering offences, sexual attacks, brawls, prowlers, lost persons and many armed or violent situations. The dogs are trained to specialise in one of three disciplines; general purpose, narcotics and explosives.
General purpose dogs are skilled in the areas of tracking, searching and protecting life and property. Handlers and their dogs often work from home within an allocated police district.
The Dog Squad also provides operational support. It works with the Special Operations Group during siege situations or when searching for explosives, and utilises the Air Wing when they require transport in a time critical situation. However, most of their support is given to local operational police.
Through providing tailored, effective and proven training, K9 Solutions Australia has experienced rapid growth since its inception and, whilst based in Queensland and Western Australia, operates nationally.
"If you don’t know what you are attempting to accomplish, it is virtually certain you won’t get there."
"Once we got our workshops up and running, we received a lot of interest to provide training services to organisations right throughout the country. To get so much interest from those in the industry is extremely satisfying" adds Jason.
Ben continues "We are not a company to just sit around and wait for something to happen. We have been proactive in getting involved with law enforcement authorities right from the beginning, which we see as a big part of our business plan. If you don’t know what you are attempting to accomplish, it is virtually certain you won’t get there."
The team are looking forward to working with Victoria Police. "We've said it before, but we have been very fortunate to have had so many excellent attendees at our courses and workshops. They have all been eager to learn, down to earth, hard working people. I'm sure members of the Victorian Police will be no different".