During the week of March 2nd through March 6th, 2009 Corporal Michael Maurice and K-9 "Chase" along with Deputy Jason Whitfield and K-9 "Nitro" of the Madison County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit Obtained National certification in narcotics detection.

The K-9 teams attended the 2009 training and problem solving workshop hosted by American Aluminum in Taylor County Florida.

American Aluminum manufactures the vehicle K-9 containment systems used by the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Every year they host a workshop for K-9 handlers nationwide to train, problem solve, and certify. Master Trainers from the North American Police Work dog Association (N.A.P.W.D.A.) were on hand to work with handlers on issues with there K-9 partners. The Master Trainers also administered the required tests to obtain national certification for teams wanting to certify.

There were 120 K-9 teams from many states present. There were also K-9 Instructors and Master Trainers from Fl., Ga., Va., Oh., Ok., N.Y., Ma., Wi. and Pa. They were all very helpful to the K-9 teams.

Both Cpl. Maurice and Deputy Whitfield along with there K-9 partners took the required test for certification which took three days. Both teams passed and obtained a national certificate in detecting five different illegal narcotic odors located in vehicles, buildings, and open areas. The tests consisted of multiple hides of the different narcotics along with untainted vehicles, buildings, and open areas known as "blanks". The teams were required to find all the hides and identify the "blanks" without the assistance of the trainers.

The two teams certified using different alert methods. Cpl. Maurice and K-9 "Chase" certified using the passive alert method which consist of the K-9 sitting and staring at the location that the narcotics are hidden. Deputy Whitfield and K-9 "Nitro" certified using the aggressive alert method which consist of the K-9 scratching in the location that the narcotics are hidden. With the two teams certifying in different alert methods the K-9 Unit can be utilized in almost any situation.

Along with the national certificate both teams also received a certificate and 40 hours credit for the training and problem solving work they completed during they week.

Deputy Whitfield is a new addition to the K-9 unit. Now that he is trained and certified he and Cpl. Maurice will be placed on opposite rotations to ensure that the Madison County Sheriff's Office has a K-9 team out during peak times of the day, seven days a week.
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