Queen Creek Police Officer Deanna Kuhn and K9 Obi took first place in the Explosives Ordinance Detection challenge at the recent 20th Desert Dog Police K9 Trials and Public Safety Expo in Scottsdale, put on by the Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA).
K9 officers competed in more than 10 competitive events during the two-day event, including the Explosives Ordinance Detection challenge, where K9 and officer teams were challenged to detect multiple explosive odors in buildings, vehicles and open areas. The challenge was a race against the clock for the K9 to accurately locate explosive odors and notify their handler.
While more than 70 teams from across the USA competed during the expo, only one was named champion. That grand title of “Top Dog 2023” went to the officer and K9 with the highest combined overall score over the two-day trials; showcasing courage beyond instinct in Tactical Challenges and Handler Protection. The "Top Dog" honor went to Officer Keegan Smith and K9 Vader with the Gilbert Police Department.
The "Tough Dog" competition, with K9s running full speed ahead, latching onto a human decoy with a score based on running speed, force of impact and strength of bite, went to Sgt. Erick Maldonado and K9 Rogan and the Gilbert Police Department also took "Top Overall Agency" at the competition. That's the law enforcement agency with highest average combined scores of all its participating officers and K9s during the trials.
Tactical Obedience, a specially designed course testing K9’s ability to listen and obey its handler on command and reveal the officers’ training with the K9, went to Officer Kevin Drummond and K9 Ralph with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Danny Durand and K9 Junior with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office placed third. This competition included instructing the K9 to go forward with one command and telling the dog to stop midway. The K9 was scored on the ability to listen and respond.
In the Tactical Challenge, testing the abilities of the K9 in an obstacle course featuring differing terrain and raised ledges to showcase the K9 and officer’s ability to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, Officer Kevin Drummond and K9 Ralph with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office placed third.
In Narcotics, where the K9 and officers training were put to the test when officers sent their K9s to search and locate narcotics in unfamiliar surroundings, Officer Keegan Smith and K9 Vader with the Gilbert Police Department took first place, while Officer Jared Cooke and K9 Rico with the Gilbert Police Department placed third.
All these challenges showcased K9 training and demonstrated how police dogs are used as a tool by officers for the safety of the community.
ALECA is one of the largest 501(c)(3) non-profit public safety canine organizations in the country, led by public safety and business professionals and a dedicated team of expert volunteers. More than 95% of funding goes directly to the TEES mission: Train, Educate, Equip and Support, providing critical guidance, state-of-the-art knowledge, research, development and live-action training drills to support K9 law enforcement teams and agencies throughout Arizona.
