Do you want your pup to be a crime-sniffing super-canine? Well they might not learn to fly, but Pups on Patrol can help DPD sniff out dangerous activity!
Pups on Patrol is a program launched by the Denver Police Department back in 2017, to help train civilian pups how to spot danger. Every few weeks, DPD -- District 1 invites dog owners to attend their Pups on Patrol class to allow good boys and girls to be certified in sniffing out crime.
DPD cites from the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA, that there are more than 75 million dog owners across the nation. Their logic is that hundreds of neighbors are out walking their dogs through the community at all times of the day, week, and in all kinds of weather conditions. With this in mind, the DPD District 1 program was designed after the National Dog Walker Watch program, which encourages neighbors to give local law enforcement a bit of a helping hand. https://www.facebook.com/denverpolice/videos/1279919755446338/ With all these neighbors and pups on the streets, it makes sense that if these community members were trained in spotting suspicious activity, they would be able to report crimes or suspicious behavior to alert law enforcement. The Pups-On-Patrol program gives dog owners (and dogs), the tools and tricks to effectively observe and report suspicious activity. Participants in Pups on Patrol are trained to identify suspicious behavior, like spotting someone trying to break into a car, or someone trespassing behind buildings or homes. This program even teaches participants to spot cars driving with their headlights off at night. Pups on Patrol also teaches you the difference between the need to make a 911 call or to call their non-emergency line.
Through this program, you can not only work out your pup, but also work on your neighborhood watch skills to keep your community safe. To be included in the program, community members need to attend a one-hour training class. Dog owners who attend training (Fido can stay at home) are presented with a certificate at the end, signed by Denver Police Chief Robert White -- along with an Honorary Denver Police K-9 neckerchief for your four-legged pal to wear while they're on "pawtrol."
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The next Pups on Patrol training session is April 12 at 6 p.m. at the District 1 station. If you want to attend the Pups on Patrol program, email Office Robert Gibbs at [email protected] . Be sure to include the name of your dog!