Feds with dogs

[enjoipandas7]

My father has been a federal agent for 22 years and i am hoping to follow in is footsteps. I would really like to be a dog hendler in the agency also.

What agency would i have to most liklyness of becoming a dog handler?
How would i become a dog handler?
What can i do before I become an agent that would help me become a handler?

I would ask some of these in k9 section but no one is ever there.

[BNTF]

What can i do before I become an agent that would help me become a handler?

Do your job and do it well. The handlers I've met through the years are usually guys who gain the reputation of being a good cop, and then put it for the spot when they're had enough experience on the job. There's not a science to it really. You don't have to be Cesar Milan, but you do have to understand the nature of dogs, the basics of rewarding and discipline. You're competing for a limited number of spots, and they're going to grade you and rank in comparison to other applicants.

As far as possibilites, I would assume CBP would have the most opportunity out of all fed agencies to become a handler, as they probably have the most dogs.

[BNTF]

Sorry I missed the part where you said "before." I don't know if there's anything you can do before the job that is going to make you more appealling than others for a spot. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You can prepare yourself to be a handler, but the most important things like reputation, cases, worth ethic- that stuff starts when your agency clock begins.

[Piggy]

Here's some of them that I know of:

Active Duty Military Security Police
US Customs
DOD Civilian Police (depending on assignment)
USDA Beagle Brigade
US Park Police
US Border Patrol
VA Police (depending on duty location)

I'd probably say US Customs would be your best shot.

Sorry, ICE.

[explcdt8]

I agree with the above posters. I think CBP (Customs and Border Protection) would probably be the best place for K-9's.

You could also try the TSA, I'm pretty sure they have explosive detector dogs, taken over from the old FAA program.

[Redman]

What agency would i have to most liklyness of becoming a dog handler?

http://www.borderpatrol.gov/

[Stub]

The USMS also has K9's.

[Sierra]

Here's some of them that I know of:

Active Duty Military Security Police
US Customs
DOD Civilian Police (depending on assignment)
USDA Beagle Brigade
US Park Police
US Border Patrol
VA Police (depending on duty location)

I'd probably say US Customs would be your best shot.

Sorry, ICE.

Ummm...I don't know any section of ICE that has dogs with the possible exception of Federal Protective Services (I almost forgot about them). The customs function has pretty much gone over to CBP's stamp monkees. ;)

Beagle Brigade? :confused:

[Clint]

Here's some of them that I know of:

Active Duty Military Security Police
US Customs
DOD Civilian Police (depending on assignment)
USDA Beagle Brigade
US Park Police
US Border Patrol
VA Police (depending on duty location)

I'd probably say US Customs would be your best shot.

Sorry, ICE.

Sorry, but you must be a GS-11 in Customs to apply for a K-9 Position. It's been that way for the last 4+ years. Sorry new guy. I can't think of any agency or department that will hire a new guy right out of the Academy for K-9!!!!

[UpOnBase2]

USSS-UD has an excellent K-9 program, ERT has dogs also.

[BP348]

http://www.borderpatrol.gov/

+1

CBP or USBP probably have the most K9's but as Clint said for the most part you have to have 3+ years time in service to put in for a K9.

I didn't know that USMS had K9's

[Grift]

How has no one mentioned the ATF?

[RT302]

BLM, USFWS and USFS all have dogs.

[Maverick24]

Believe it or not FAMS is just about to start its own K-9 unit as well.

[Kimble]

Believe it or not FAMS is just about to start its own K-9 unit as well.

As if it hasn't been easy enough to spot FAMs before, now we just look for the guy on the flight with a dog? :p