Inside the Perimeter- K9 Operator Course

Service Description

This course is a four-day (32-hour TCOLE credit) K9 Operator. The class will be taught by a K9 SWAT Operator. Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from different training sites in the Pasadena area. This course is limited to 12 K9 operator teams to maximize repetitions and allow for sufficient K9 rest and cooling off. ***The fee for this course is SWAT operators without a K9 may attend for $150 or $500 for each K9 team. Please see K9 Registration Page for K9 team registration *** This class will focus on understanding and implementing K9s into SWAT operations, including an overview of K9 team benefits and pitfalls. Progressive tactical K9 training plans will be discussed to give K9 handlers and SWAT personnel a proven program that, when implemented with their teams, will enhance a SWAT team by enabling K9 operations to integrate in the inner perimeter. Different real-world techniques covered will be resolution of barricaded suspect situations, structure clearing, K9 threshold evaluations, less-lethal options, and implementation of K9 into operational planning. In addition, students will receive emergency K9 trauma care training. The class will be hands-on and will require physical exertion. Prerequisites: Students must be certified peace officers or active military personnel in good standing with their agency. Students must be able to provide an agency ID on the first day of class. K9 teams must have proof of being actively certified in the discipline of K9 patrol by a nationally recognized third-party organization. A pass/fail K9 handler assessment will be conducted the morning of the first day of class. The assessment will consist of a half mile handler only run followed by manually lifting their respective K9 over a 6-foot fence or wall. The handler then must get themselves over the wall after the dog. The handler will be wearing a full duty belt and ballistic vest. Although walking is not permitted during the half mile run, there is no time limit on the physical assessment. A pass/fail sociability assessment for all K9s will be conducted by the K9 cadre. This is performed by checking the dog’s ability to be around others without showing extreme fear or aggression. Due to the nature of the class, instructors will determine if the K9 will be able to continue at an acceptable level during training exposure. Instructor: Oscar Gonzalez