Medicine Hat Police training two new additions to K9 unit

Two new handlers have begun to learn that first hand.

In July, the unit brought in two new German Shepherds.

Constable Bev Kennedy has been paired with Kal and Constable Matt Hubbard will be with Ace.

So far the two officers have focused on connecting with the dog.

“Since they arrived, bonding and getting to know him. Getting to know his needs, and now I need to let him know who’s boss.” Said Kennedy.

Kennedy has been with Medicine Hat Police for eight years and will be the unit’s first female handler, something she’s wanted since she was a Cadette.

“My first field trainer was actually a K9 handler. So just watching him do his work, I’ve been driving to do that since.” She said.

Hubbard has been with the service for four years and has also been interested in the K9 unit since the beginning.

“I joined the police service to catch bad guys and if you can catch bad guys without a dog you can definitely catch a bad guy with a dog.” He chuckled.

The two handlers and their dogs will now begin basic training.

“We have to train as a team. He’s going to have bad days, I’m going to have bad days but we have to support each other as well as the other members of the K9 unit to get through the training.” Said Hubbard.

The training is focused on obedience, criminal apprehension, drug detection, and tracking.

“You got a stolen vehicle in the dead of the night, no indication where the person fled to except the order that is left behind. There’s nothing else that has the ability to locate that person like a police dog does. And just the motivation that they have and the desire to work and play this game. That’s all it is, it’s a game to them.” White said.

While the dogs are learning new skills, the handlers are also dealing with a major learning curve.

“I tell them that this is the most difficult thing they will have to do as a police officer because it’s so unnatural.” White continued. “It’s so unnatural to put all trust in this animal, especially in the beginning when the animal doesn’t really know you and you don’t really know him. And you’re trying to figure out each other.”

Although they have only begun training this week, White says both Kal and Ace are showing traits that will make them good police dogs.

“He’s high drive. And I don’t mean aggressive in any way. But he’s very energetic. He’s proven that he’s willing to do anything for us and especially for his ball. You give him a reward and he’ll do anything for it. So that’s what makes the dog very trainable.” White described Ace.

Hubbard agreed.

“I think he’s going to be a hell of a K9 dog.”

White and Kennedy say that Kal has a more even temperament.

But like Ace is extremely driven already.

“When he comes out, he’s ready to rock. I think he’s ready to go after the bad guys already.” Kennedy smiled.

White expects training to take about four months before they are ready to officially report for duty.

by Hayley Ferguson

Medicine Hat Police training two new additions to K9 unit

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