The Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association is hosting a five-day conference in Pasco. The event gathers experts from agencies like the NYPD and U.S. Secret Service to train K-9 teams in detecting drugs and explosives.
Gunner Fulmer, president of the association, emphasized the conference’s high standards. “Washington state has its own requirements for dog teams. But the Pacific Northwest Canine standard we use is an even higher level of certification,” Fulmer said.
During the week, officers and their K-9 partners take part in both classroom lessons and hands-on training. They rotate through several sites around the Tri-Cities, including the Toyota Center, where they practice detection skills in realistic scenarios.
Fulmer described the training at the Toyota Center: “They set up situations that mimic real-life events. For example, someone might be sitting in a specific area, or there could be a known threat. Sometimes, it’s just a general sweep of the arena.”
With growing public safety concerns and evolving threats, Fulmer stressed how crucial advanced training is for these K-9 teams.
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