AST Digital Magazine October 2017 Digital-Oct | Page 81

Volume 17
October 2017 Edition
One of the three dog teams to take the new train-
ing so far has already intercepted 12,000 tablets
in B.C., the force says. for police work as they are adaptable, versatile,
strong, courageous and able to work under ex-
treme climatic conditions.
“I do believe the Canadian population is safer
because of our new fentanyl dog training,” Insp.
Akrum Ghadban, the officer in charge of the
training centre, said in a recent news release. Male dogs are usually chosen. A dog entering
the RCMP training program has a 17 percent
chance of succeeding due to the high standards
required.
“By keeping more fentanyl off the street, we save
Canadian lives.”
RCMP Police Dog Program
Police officers and their dogs undergo training at the RCMP
Police Dog Services training centre in Innisfail, Alta., in 2015.
(Image courtesy of Jeff McIntosh, Canadian Press and the
RCMP)
An Overview
The RCMP uses purebred Ger-
man shepherds as well as Bel-
gian shepherds (Malinois) in
perfect physical condition.
The RCMP considers these
breeds to be the best choice
The dog starts its police training when it is from
12 to 18 months old.
Basic training is approximately 17 weeks, but
training never really ends as daily practice is
required to maintain a high level of
physical and mental fitness.
Dogs and handlers are vali-
dated to the Doghandler
Course Training Standard
Field Level capability an-
nually.
(Nova Scotia RCMP share two
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