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History |
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The Memphis International Airport Police Department K-9 Unit was established in 1990 by the Airport Police and with the backing of the FAA Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. Officer Harold Julian (retired) with canine partner Max and Officer Fred Hawkins with canine partner Breston were the first explosive detection canine teams to operate at Memphis International Airport. |
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Ret. Ofc. Julian & K-9 Max |
Ofc. Hawkins & K-9 Breston |
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Training |
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Handlers are trained at the Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) Explosives Detection Canine Handler Course co-located at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Handlers spend eleven weeks at the T.S.A. course developing handler skills; learning explosives handling, safety and transportation requirements, and explosives contamination issues within the airport environment; administrative requirements and T.S.A. Canine Web based applications. |
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Current |
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The Airport Police Department K-9 Unit Explosive Detection Canine Teams operate in the airport environment day-to-day. They are acclimated to the unique characteristics of the airport and are well versed in searching many types of aircraft. Handlers are also made aware of the effects of explosives contamination while training and the impact this may have at screening checkpoints and throughout the airport. The explosives detection canine teams combine excellent mobility with reliable detection rates. Their use today has evolved to include searching during bomb threats associated with aircraft, airport terminals, vehicles, luggage, and cargo, as well as serving as general deterrents to would-be terrorists or criminals. The canine team is still the most reliable tool to search an aircraft for an explosive device. |
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| Ofc. DeGraff & K-9 Jack | Ofc. Cowan & K-9 Kela | Ofc. Adams & K-9 Samson | |
| The Airport Police Department K-9 Unit Explosive Detection Canine Teams are also used as an excellent Community Relations tool by responding to, and participating in, the numerous lectures and K-9 demonstrations that they continue to receive from the local community schools. The following Officers and canine partners: Officer T. Adams with partner Samson, Officer M. DeGraff with partner Jack and Officer R. Cowan with partner Kela, achieve all this. The T.S.A. Program is a partnership with participating airports. | |||
