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K-9 Unit
The
Wellford Police Department currently has a K-9 team. The team consists
of a specially trained officer or handler and a working dog that has
been specially trained to make use of canine speed, agility, and sense
of smell. Our K-9 unit is used primarily in the detection of narcotics
and associated contraband, tracking suspects or missing persons,
locating lost, abandoned or hidden articles, searching buildings and
aiding in the arrest of felony offenders. Police canines have proven to
be effective tools of protection for police officers as well as others.
K-9 handlers are responsible for the health, care and well being of
their assigned partner. After initial training and certifications, the
K-9 team participates in ongoing training to maintain and enhance their
skills and effectiveness.
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The Wellford Police Department police service dogs have been trained and are certified to detect the presence of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. The ability of the police K-9s to locate concealed narcotics contraband rests with two major qualities which are inherent in the police service dog. The first is the dog's amazing olfactory (sense of smell) capability. When this remarkable sense is coupled with the dog's strong play and hunting drives, the dogs are taught to associate the scent of specific narcotics with their "reward" or "toy". To earn this reward, the dogs are trained to search boxes, rooms, yards, automobiles, and any other locations where there is a likelihood someone may have concealed narcotics contraband. An effort is made to prevent the dog from coming into direct contact with any of these drugs, as these drugs are as poisonous to dogs as they are to humans. Suspects sometimes use distraction scents to mask the odor of narcotics contraband in an attempt to foil the detection capabilities of the animals. However, for the most part, these efforts have failed, as documented by the hundreds of pounds of seized narcotics contraband which were destined for street-level sales.
Officer Chris Baragar
Wellford Police Department
127 Syphrit Road
Wellford, SC 29385
cbaragar@wellfordpd.com
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