k9 unit
about
Mission Statement:
“The mission of the APD K9 Unit is to train, develop and deploy police service dog teams to support the various operational sections of the department in achieving the police mission in the safest and most efficient manner possible.”
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ABOUT THE UNIT
The K9 unit is comprised of one sergeant and multiple police service dog teams. Each team is made up of an Anchorage police officer trained as a dog handler with their assigned canine partner. They attend specialized and ongoing training to ensure they are functioning at the highest level to support patrol operations.
Their primary duties include building searches, tracking suspects, evidence searches, protecting police officers and citizens from acts of violence, public relations and any situation where a canine’s unique capabilities can be effectively utilized. Some of the canines are dual trained as patrol detector dogs for drug detection work.
history
The APD K9 Unit was created in 1975 in the wake of Officer John Flora's death in the line of duty. Officer Flora responded to a burglary at a local drug treatment center. Once on scene, he noticed a broken window and shined his flashlight for a better look. As he pushed open the window and began climbing in, a shot was fired that fatally struck him in the head.
Officer Flora's widow created a memorial fund in his name with the purpose of providing necessary funds to purchase canines that support patrol officers with high-risk incidents.
dollars for dogs
On July 17th, 1986, Canine Officer Harry B. Hanson was shot and killed while assisting on a K9 track of a suspect who shot at another APD officer, stole a police car, crashed it, and then fled on foot. During the track, the suspect opened fire killing Officer Hanson.
Officer Hanson’s widow created a memorial fund in his name with the intention of assisting the canine unit with the cost of advanced training and equipment.
Two memorial funds created by the widows of Officer Flora and Officer Hanson eventually merged to create the non-profit organization, Dollars for Dogs. The Dollars for Dogs organization is run by volunteers. They serve as the Board of Directors and manage the organization funds with the sole purpose of supporting APD’s canine unit. Since its inception, Dollars for Dogs has provided the vital funding to purchase new canines, equipment, and supplemental training.
For more information about the Dollars for Dogs program, visit their website at http://www.dollarsfordogsalaska.org