MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Members of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit are learning how to deploy from helicopters in an effort to cut down on response times.
- 9 Manatee County Sheriff's Office K-9s to complete training
- Wind from helicopter rotor can disrupt a person's unique scent
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"It can take an hour to drive from the city of Bradenton out to Myakka," explained Sgt. Steve Chenard. "This is going to allow our K-9 Unit to have a much faster response time."
Each of the K-9s has completed a 480-hour certification course. Chenard estimates that each of the departments K-9s have clocked well over 1,000 hours of training time altogether.
Now, they're each working on the unique skill set needed to be able to ride in a helicopter and then quickly pick up a scent upon landing. The amount of wind created from the helicopter's rotor can disrupt a person's unique scent.
Part of the training for these dogs, Chenard explained, was to learn how to track given all the wind in the area.
Each dog also has a unique personality, so getting comfortable with flying is key.
"Some people get in a helicopter and they're fine, and some people freak out. It's the same thing with dogs," Chenard said.
Nine K-9 officers will complete the training.