NEW DRUG DOGS JOIN POLICE FORCE

The Medicine Hat police have added a couple new members to their force --
two seven-week-old chocolate Labrador dogs that will eventually aid in
keeping drugs out of schools.

Two school resource police officers have agreed to be the handlers of the
two pups, which were purchased by the police through various sponsorships.
The dogs were bought for the school program Dogs for Drug Free Schools,
which works to ensure schools are drug-free. The program also has a major
focus on education initiatives within the schools.

"It's not an enforcement mechanism, it's a prevention mechanism," said
Police Commission Chair Bill Anhorn the police commission meeting Thursday
night.

The dogs will a major part in the schools and will be brought into the
schools to familiarize them with the students.

But the pups likely won't be fully trained to sniff out drugs until next
September, said Insp. Andy McGrogan.

The two labs will train with the Medicine Hat K-9 Unit at a basic level,
said McGrogan.

He said the reason Labradors are chosen is because they're known for their
high ability "to seek out scent."

The dogs will be fully trained in obedience and drug detection. Unlike
German Shepherds which work well for attacking and are typically used in
K-9 Units, these dogs are known for their sense of smells.

"The lab temperment is much more subdued," said McGrogan. "Much more people
friendly," he said.

The dogs will be present in Alexandra Jr. High, Crescent Heights High
School and Medicine Hat High School.