A total of 37 Uganda Police Force officers and 10 from the Uganda Prisons Service have completed a six-month Basic Dog Handling and Care Course (K9 training program) aimed to enhance the operational capabilities of both forces in various critical areas of law enforcement.
These skills are vital for addressing a range of criminal activities and ensuring public safety. The graduation ceremony held on Thursday May 30,2024 was presided over by SCP Anne Tusiime, Deputy Director of Human Resource Development at K9 Unit headquarters in Nsambya.
In her address, she urged the officers to leverage their newly acquired skills to combat crime effectively. Tusiime also expressed her gratitude to the Uganda Prisons Service for their trust in the Uganda Police Force to train their personnel.
“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to interagency cooperation and capacity building, which will undoubtedly yield positive results in the fight against crime,” Tusiime stated.
Dr. Mugume Martin, the Commandant of the Police K9 Unit, commended the entire K9 training program team for their dedication and expertise in transforming the officers into proficient dog handlers. He emphasized the importance of such specialized training in enhancing the operational capabilities of the security forces.
“The skills and knowledge acquired in this K9 training program course will undoubtedly strengthen the Uganda Police’s efforts in fighting crime and keeping our communities safe,” Dr. Mugume Martin noted.
He highlighted the role of interagency collaboration in achieving greater effectiveness in law enforcement operations. The comprehensive training modules covered essential topics such as explosive detection, search and rescue operations, narcotic drug detection, and agility training.
The comprehensive training modules covered essential topics such as explosive detection, search and rescue operations, narcotic drug detection, and agility training. The graduates are expected to apply their training in various capacities, contributing to the detection and prevention of crimes involving explosives, narcotics, and other high-risk situations.
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The specialized skills in search and rescue operations will also be crucial in emergency response and disaster management scenarios.