K-9 UNITS TRAIN IN ARAGON, ROCKMART

The drugs are hidden and the K-9 units begin their work. Each one, with a
partner, circles, sniffs and finds what they are being trained to do --
help keep drug offenders off the streets of Georgia communities. This scene
was repeated daily May 23-27 in Aragon and Rockmart as officers and their
canine partners gathered for a week of rigorous training.

The Aragon Police Department hosted the event.

Despite the bright sun and warm temperature, Jimmy Long, Migs, Georgia,
worked with K-9 Sulkan as he searched an area for a package of hidden
substance.

The items were hidden in simulated environments, including buildings, cars
and open areas.

Long brought Sulkan 260 miles to take part in the exercise.

He said the experience would help the K9 unit in his small town. "We don't
have a drug squad," he said. "We depend on our K-9 for enforcement."

"Don't get close to Boody," warned Officer Bruce Phagl, Senoia Police
Department, as he worked with the dog. Melissa Phillips, trainer, Lakeside
Training Center and Jason Ayers, West Georgia Drug Task Force, watched the
two go through a skills routine. "We welcomed these officers and others
that had not previously been to this area," said Aragon Chief Wayne
Sanders. "This is the first time our community has hosted such an event.
For us, it was a big challenge to bring people from all over Georgia for
the training.

It required several weeks of planning." From Page 1A

Tony Phillips, Vidalia, Lakeside Training center, certified in Georgia K-9,
provided classroom instruction. Phillips conducts two seminars annually.
From my experience, he said, K-9 has a great impact on drugs. "It is
almost impossible to do drug enforcement without one. "A dog adds so much
more to available resources. He is a great tool and will establish probable
cause for you to get a search warrant, search a car or whatever.

Without his trained nose, you would find it difficult any other way."
During last week's seminar, new techniques were demonstrated and practiced
to sharpen skills of the dog and handler.

Each day, the participants came out to grasp what has become law or a new
regulation that has been passed since their last training session.

Phillips said that working with a drug dog requires constant upkeep. "You
must always practice to get better," he said.

The week of training was launched Monday in the classroom. After lunch,
practical exams were completed. Each participant was evaluated and had to
achieve a score of 85 or better to pass. According to Phillips, each one
was informed of how good, or not, they were. "The training helps keep the
officer and dog certified for the year," he added.

Shannon Cranford, Aragon police department, helped coordinate activities
each day. Cranford said he has previously worked as a dog handler and feels
that the training provided is a big asset to the officers who are faced
with today's challenges of finding ways to curb drug-related crime.
"Although we do not have a K-9 unit," he said, "I know that these dogs and
their partners have a big impact on drug-related crime in areas where they
are used."