WEST TENNESSEE DRUG TASK FORCE HOSTS NATIONAL DRUG DOG CERTIFICATION AT THE
BOGOTA COMMUNITY CENTER

Police K-9 Units converged on the Bogota Community Center Saturday, but not
to sniff out criminals or illegal drugs. They were there for a National
Narcotic Detector Dog Association K-9 certification event. Twelve K-9 teams
participated.

The certification test challenged dogs to find four drug odors (marijuana,
cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine) within a limited amount of time. Joe
Hoing, a Memphis Police officer who volunteers to certify K-9 teams
throughout the Mid-South, evaluated the teams' performances. "I believe
that the NNDDA is a great organization and just enjoy certifying the K-9
teams and making them a part of the organization," Hoing said.

After the certification tests, the K-9 teams completed narcotics training
exercises and bite exercises for patrol dogs. The teams came from Atoka
Police Department, Dyer County Sheriff's Department, Milan Police
Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Union City Police Department and the
West Tennessee Drug Task Force as well as teams from Eddyville and Fulton
County, both in Kentucky.

Tack Simmons, a K-9 officer from Union City, said he appreciated the
opportunity to gain certification here. "We are thankful that this
certification could be so close to our home," he said. "The last NNDDA
certification that we attended was in Little Rock, Ark."

Rob Harrison, a special agent with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force, said
the Bogota Community Center proved to be "a perfect place for this event to
be held." The task force hosted the event.

"I appreciate all the people who made Saturday's event a success and a
special thanks to the Bogota Community Center and Memphis Police Officer
Joe Hoing," Harrison said.