Laser Targeted Police Dogs

Dec. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- The Midwest Police K-9 Academy, co-owned by Mic Foster and Scott Nordgren, is bring the police K-9 into the 21st century by providing Laser Targeted Tactical Dogs.  Laser targeted dogs are most effectively used by SWAT and military to control the dogs in complex tactical situations.  When a handler or cover officer points his laser sight at a suspect, he is able to target his dogs bite to this exact spot, and potentially provide a less-lethal end to an apprehension.  

The majority of police dogs are trained to target whomever the handler points them towards, and this leaves room for error.  Laser sighted dogs can be targeted to an exact spot, and effectively bite this spot every time. Laser targeted dogs can also be redirected from one suspect to another from a distance, allowing handlers to stay out of harms way.  

Why might this be useful?  Imagine a scenario that involves a suspect that has placed civilians between himself and the handler.  Currently, there is no way to send the dog past the civilians to the suspect without putting the civilians in danger.  With a laser targeted K-9, the handler can specifically target the suspect, past the civilians, and assure the suspect is the one bitten by the K-9.  In another example, imagine a scene where officers are in-between the handler and the suspect.  Laser targeting can direct the K-9 past the officers, to the suspect, and allow the handler to stay out of harms way. Laser targeted K-9’s provide greater safety to civilians and officers caught in dangerous situations.

Another important aspect of a laser targeted K-9 is the ability to direct the K-9 to bite a suspect in a specific location. If a suspect is armed, and the K-9 bites opposite the weapon hand, this can leave the K-9 and officers in danger.  By using the laser site, the handler can direct the dog to bite the weapon side, and allow for the necessary moments for cover officers to move in and detain the suspect.  This keeps the dog, handler, and officers safer than if the weapon hand is left free.

There are limitless uses for laser sighted K-9’s ranging from extraction from a crowd, body part targeting, redirection of a dog from one suspect to another, and much more.  Each laser targeted K-9 costs the department about $25,000 a piece.  These dogs come fully trained, and all handlers must participate in a certification course to safely and effectively control these sophisticated dogs.

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About Midwest Police K-9 Academy: Training programs have been designed to offer single or dual purpose, certified, police dogs, and a course for new and experienced police k-9 handlers. K-9 Handlers will receive their certification through N.A.P.W.D.A., through a certified Master Police K-9 Trainer. Tactical and maintenance training is also offered for active Police K-9 Units. Police dog handlers that participate in our program are guaranteed certification, or they may retake the police K-9 handler's course at no additional charge until they successfully complete certification.