Originally Posted by
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As a K9 handler from another city, I can tell you first hand that the job is a lot more stressful and rewarding than you think. The stress is not only the months of BASIC school training, and the continued weekly/daily training, but also knowing that you can be sued, shot/stabbed, or lose your partner at any time. It's also the fact that your specialized job is a privilege that can be taken away at anytime, and usually starting out with the phrase "we're heading in a different direction". I'm not even gonna get into the detection training/certification aspect. The reward comes when all that training, preparation and upkeep finds the bad guy, or how kids enjoy seeing your dog perform what they've been taught.
In my 20 years in K9, I've rarely ever heard anyone leaving this specialized unit until the past two or 3 years. The department I was in, to include several surrounding agencies, began to micromanage and try to re-invent the wheel (so-to speak) by placing a supervisor in charge that lacked any knowledge or experience in the field of K9. My last Captain felt the need to babysit us during training and would only speak negative comments to our Sergeant, but act like he's your best friend to your face. Of course, this training day also afforded him the opportunity to talk to his "side *****" at the same time. I digress... In a neighboring city, their K9 Sergeant decided to no longer allow their unit to train with other cities. Makes sense, right???? NOT!!! On a side note. BSO K9 has always had that aura surrounding them that they are better than any city agency and will not accept their assistance on any calls or participation in any of their training.
Most of the people they rotate into supervising any unit, is just another box they can check off on a future resume. They read up on a few articles written by some cop in podunk Arkansas, and feel as though they know everything. After the 2 or 3 year window of supervising a unit, they're off trying to re-invent the wheel again in another. Meanwhile, the unit they left, is now being supervised by another micromanager that only knows what they've read, and wants things done their way.
If the Chief of Police anywhere doesn't see that constantly having an inexperienced person in a stressful and in one of your highest liability units as a problem, He/She may have a big problem down the road.
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