How To Become A K9 Police Officer

 CJC Staff

Becoming a K9 Police Officer is the goal of many entering the field of C.J..` The chance to work with dogs and to work in law enforcement simultaneously makes these very attractive careers for anyone and not just those interested in C.J. careers. Because these careers are so attractive there's an abundance of competition to land them, but through hard work and perserverance you can achieve your dream of becoming a K9 Police Officer. In this article we’ll give you an overview on becoming a K9 Officer along with some tips on how to land one of these jobs.

How To Become A K9 Officer


Many job candidates think they can just apply to become a K9 Officer; however the reality is you must already be employed in the field of criminal justice. There are small departments that may jump at the chance to hire a trained dog and Officer right off the street; however those agencies are few and far between and besides these small agencies usually pay less. Your best bet for becoming a K9 Officer is to get into an agency where they have K9 units and hope to work your way into the position from there.

Give Yourself An Advantage By Attending A Criminal Justice School


The best way to get started in a criminal justice careers is to attend one of the many quality criminal justice training schools. It’s no secret that those who seek higher education are usually the ones promoted first and receive the best pay. If you’re going to realize your dream of becoming a K9 then you should attend a criminal justice college or university.

Once you’re employed by a law enforcement agency with a K9 unit do everything you can to get yourself near that unit. It won’t happen overnight, however by getting to know the dogs and handlers you’re giving yourself an advantage over other future applicants. In most law enforcement agencies when a position for a K9 unit becomes available there are usually numerous applicants from both within and outside the department. By you working in the department and having inside knowledge of the workings of the K9 unit and their teams you’ll already have an advantage over many applicants.

K9 Officer Interview


Prepare for you interview by knowing the demands of being a K9 team member. Unlike what you see on TV there’s rigorous training to get both the dog and yourself qualified to be a K9 team. In addition you need to understand these aren’t cake jobs. Being a K9 handler will put even more stress on your family life than a traditional criminal justice career. K9 Handlers are called out at all hours of the night whenever a crime happens. In addition this dog will become a member of your family and will require regular exercise and attention along with continued training and discipline.

Becoming a K9 Handler isn’t for everyone, but for those who obtain such a job the rewards are great including having a partner who won’t talk back and just wants to do his best to please you.
Return To The Career Guide For Criminal Justice