K-9 teams trained in bomb-detection tactics at University of Alabama

Gary Cosby Jr., The Tuscaloosa News
·1 min read
1

Fifteen K-9 officer teams from across Alabama and one from Mississippi received extra training in bomb-detection tactics and skills at the University of Alabama this week, courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.

The Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative, or REDDI, is a program designed to enhance the abilities of police departments to detect bombs and improvised explosive devices.

The Auburn Police Department held a similar program earlier this year and Sgt. John Turner of the University of Alabama Police said this was a good chance to get K-9 teams in the northern half of the state trained as well.

Aug 4, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative demonstrates what the canines and their handlers are learning in an event hosted by the University of Alabama Police Department at Sewell-Thomas Stadium Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. Birmingham officer Metz Davis gives his dog Mikey a command after the K-9 successfully completed a scent recognition course. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

"It's allowing them to build on the current training they have. It is showing them some national trends and some overseas trends that they are seeing. It helps them have better tactics during their search and to search safe and have a better opportunity to locate any potential devices," Turner said.

HISTORY MADE: University of Alabama students move into brand-new Julia Tutwiler Hall

The training is important to public safety because the threat environment is continually changing. Officers have to continually train and stay up to date to counter the threat.

Aug 4, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy Jonathan Rice and his K-9 partner Bingo go through the press box at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative conducted training for the canines and their handlers at the University of Alabama Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

"Tactics change. We are trying to stay one step ahead of someone who would want to do harm to our community," Turner said.

The dogs are valuable members of the law enforcement team because they have abilities their human handlers lack.

"Their extremely valuable. You have to look at a concealed device. We are searching for something visually. A dog can detect extremely low thresholds of odor and the dog has a much better chance of finding it than we do."

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Bomb-detecting K-9 teams improve skills at University of Alabama