Published Feb 16, 2023 | 6:10 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 17, 2023 | 1:19 PM
Sixty eight handlers of five dog breeds — cocker spaniel, golden retriever, labrador, German shepherd, and Belgian malinois — underwent training. (Supplied)
The performance exhibited by several canines during their passing-out parade at the Integrated Intelligence Training Academy (IITA) in Moinabad, Hyderabad, on Thursday, 16 February, left police officials in Telangana spellbound.
From slowly manoeuvring down 10-foot-high sliding steps to walking through a small makeshift tunnel, these canines exhibited the various skills they acquired during their eight-month-long training at the academy.
Two of the new graduates. (Supplied)
In all, 48 dogs graduated from the academy after completing the basic induction course.
A total of 68 handlers of five dog breeds — cocker spaniel, golden retriever, labrador, German shepherd, and Belgian malinois — underwent training.
Of the 48 dogs, 21 each were labradors and Belgian malinoises, four were cocker spaniels, and one each was a German shepherd and a golden retriever.
While 38 out of 48 belonged to Telangana, the rest came from Arunachal Pradesh.
These trained dogs will join duty soon and assist the police in sniffing out explosives, narcotics, and liquor, besides tracking vital clues at crime scenes where murder, dacoity, and theft have taken place.
During the training sessions, the first basic exercise that the canines underwent was developing a bond with their handlers, before moving on to two months of obedience training.
These canines then — for four months — attend specialised category training in sniffing explosives, narcotics, and liquor, in addition to training related to tracking, assault, and guarding.
Explaining the training process, officials said that the performance of the dogs and their handlers was assessed through monthly tests.
An attentiveness test for these canines in training is conducted on a daily basis to check performance.
Dr (Col) Pramod Kumar Chugh. (LinkedIn)
“If we find a dog showing below-par performance, then additional care is taken to improve its abilities,” said an official.
He added that the academy organises mock drills to give the dogs a feel of real-time experiences, like sniffing for explosives at bus and railway stations, and airports.
Before appearing for the final examination in sniffing and tracking, the dogs have to attend a mid-term test at the academy.
Col Pramod K Chugh, consulting director of the Police K9 Cell — established under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs — attended as chief examiner for the final test this year.
And the dogs were not the only ones to take a test. A written and oral test was conducted for handlers by a visiting faculty of another reputed training centre.
Principal Secretary (Home) Jitender attended this year’s passing-out parade as the chief guest.
Dogs that have undergone training at this academy are now assisting the police in West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
A canine that completed training in 2019 and joined the Bihar police assisted investigators in identifying various hideouts where liquor was being distilled illicitly. He won appreciation for his work.
