Florence Alabama Police K9 Unit Earns Top Awards For The Third Consecutive Year

From left: Officer Daniel Haynes and K9 Kasen, Officer Jason Fort and K9 Vox, Officer Zach Maxwell and K9 Rex, Officer Wes Gargis and K9 Titus

PRESS RELEASE

TO: ALL MEDIA
APRIL 16, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

K9 Unit Takes Top Awards at Annual Certification and Competitive Trials

Florence Police K9 Unit Competes Against Agencies From Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia

FLORENCE, AL– The Florence Police K9 Unit was recognized as having the “Top Dog” in the region this week. Police Officer Daniel Haynes and his K9 partner Kasen received this honor as part of the unit’s yearly certification program as members of the Region 22 USPCA (United States Police Canine Association) trials and certification program. Haynes and his partner placed 1st overall in both patrol canine and dual purpose (patrol and scent detection). The duo also placed 1st overall in Obedience and Criminal Apprehension and 2nd overall in suspect and article search.

Additionally, Police Officer Zach Maxwell and K9 Partner Rex finished 1st overall in Agility and 3rd overall in Obedience.

As a result of their outstanding performances, the Florence Police Department placed in the top 3 in all categories of the certification events, out scoring 40 other teams from throughout the Southeast.

Region 22 is represented by departments from Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. This includes Chattanooga, Atlanta, Huntsville, Decatur, Morgan and Madison Counties, Guntersville, Scottsboro, Homewood, Rome (GA), and a variety of other agencies.

This represents the third consecutive year that the Florence Police Department has been recognized for having having the top K9 Unit in the region.

Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler stated, “I am proud of all the work that these officers put in leading up to the trials. The work beforehand is what made this happen. Receiving these awards was simply formal recognition for effort put in well in advance of the certification and competition.”

The Florence Police Department has maintained a police K9 unit since 1982. In 2010 the unit was expanded from 2 handler/K9 teams to 4 teams in an effort to insure full time coverage for the community. The unit has been a member of the USPCA for 7 years and certifies yearly as part of it’s ongoing improvement process and in line with CALEA standards.

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