Volume #3
Volume #4
Volume #5
Greetings to all NCPDA members and supporters. I hope this message finds everyone well. Summer is past and hopefully so is the hot temperatures.
The 2005 NCPDA Fall Encampment was held this past week in Hendersonville, NC. This was the 10th Annual Encampment. The weather was beautiful, the fish were biting, the dogs were outstanding, and it was one of the best certifications yet. Participating were 36 dog teams from NC, SC, TN, and Ga. It was yet another opportunity to make new friends and for old friends to remember old memories and make new ones. And for some, the memories will last a long, long time (Hoo-ah for the Alpha Nuts).
Special Awards were presented to the following: Lance Mahoney was presented the Bunny Rabbit Award, and the Greenville Co (SC) K-9 Unit was presented the GoatNapper Award. Lance won the award for having the most original pay toy for his dog: a little purple bunny foo-foo. At least his dog is in touch with his sensitive side. GCSO won for their daring daylight raid on the goat pen and their kidnapping of poor little goat Millie. A ransom note was left demanding that pics be made of Jim Meyer shirtless and smeared with peanut butter. However, the administration’s policy is to not deal with Goatnappers, and Millie was soon rescued unharmed. For those who do not know the esteemed Jim (“Have you evah”) Meyer, he is an outstanding “old school” K-9 man, retired from the Roanoke Rapids, NC PD. Jim joined us for the encampment and his presence brought many smiles to our faces.
On a more solemn note, plaques were presented in memorial to working dogs who have passed on: to Scott Burgess for K-9 Suzie, and to Dean Jackson for
K-9 Corey. These special dogs will live forever in our hearts.
Special Thanks go out to John Johnson (and crew) and all of the Henderson County Sheriff Dept. K-9 Unit, Sandy (for keeping the mountain of paperwork in order), Camp Pinnacle, and to Sherry Cartee of Blue Ridge Community College for outstanding admin. support.
From the evaluators’ standpoint, on behalf of myself, Richie Price and Wayne Keith, I would like to thank all the handlers for your efforts and attention this past week. Everyone knows the weaknesses that you and your dog have (regardless if you’ll acknowledge it or not). Make the effort to improve yourselves and use your experiences (good and bad) to your advantage. We appreciate your support in helping this event go as smoothly as possible.
If anyone has a suggestion on how to make the certifications run even smoother, please take the time to forward your comments to the Webmaster: dennis@ncpda.net.
The next scheduled certifications are April 10-14, 2006 in Greenville, NC.
Stay tuned for further updates.
The NCPDA website is constantly evolving and growing. Please check in on us as much as possible to see what’s happening in our organization. Send your atta boys, pics, comments and other info to Dennis (above).
If there is a certain training class or topic that you would like to see information on, please let me know. There is a tremendous amount of K-9 knowledge within the NCPDA ranks, and it is there for the asking.
In addition, if your K-9 team is interested in a training exercise vs. a military team, contact me.
Elections
This year will mark the first time that NCPDA Officer elections will be held online. Each member will be allowed one vote. This process will begin in the very near future. Please keep track of the website for a page dedicated to NCPDA VOTING procedures. All offices are open to election on a yearly basis. I would like to invite ALL members to get involved in this process. This is YOUR association.
NCPDA Gear
We also hope to have all your NCPDA gear (shirts, caps, coffee mugs, patches…etc) available on the website in the near future. If there is a product or design that you would like to see, forward it to the Webmaster.
The Holiday Season is fast approaching, and with it comes the inevitable rise in crime. Robberies, purse snatchings, and larcenies all increase as the criminal element preys upon unwitting victims. As we all know, K-9 teams are often called to the front when these crimes occur. And as such, are more often involved in gunfire and other violent actions.
An unfortunate fact is that many K-9 teams are not prepared mentally and/or physically to successfully complete the assignment of apprehending a “hard target”. Most of our tracking targets fall under the “defensive” mode and choose not to engage. However, occasionally we find ourselves tracking a target that has chosen the “offensive” tact. I challenge you to prepare yourself and your dog for the worst-case scenario of tracking an armed suspect who will not hesitate to engage you and your team.
Always be prepared for an ambush, and always remember the “Plus One” Theory: If you see one suspect, expect another. If you see a weapon, expect another. If he has tried one ambush, expect another.
In closing, I again say thanks to the crowd in Hendersonville, and wish you all Godspeed in your K-9 assignments.
Stay safe,
Mark Shue
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Volume #2
Oct - Nov 2005
Publisher : Mark Shue
