The working police K-9 has become
an integral part of law enforcement. For centuries now, dogs have had a
well-established place in law enforcement. Working as loyal members of teams
with their human partners, they have proven to be invaluable in such
vital areas as explosive detection, narcotics detection, and searching for
criminals as well as lost or missing persons, including children and
Alzheimer's patients.
These frontline partners in the
fight against crime lay their lives on the line every day. In many ways, dogs
contribute more to achievement of law enforcement objectives than
sophisticated law enforcement technology.
 The dogs can also work much
faster in a building search. In a test of searching a warehouse, it took 4 or
5 officers almost 2 ˝ hours on average to complete a search, and usually they
didn't find anyone. A dog did the same work in 15 minutes with 100% success.
Despite the long and
distinguished history of canines in law enforcement, their capabilities and
applications are still emerging. As a detector the dog is still unsurpassed
because he is able to multiplex trained odors in unusual situations and new
environments. At night the K-9 sees clearly. His senses alert him to the armed
suspect nobody realizes is there.
| 
