The Division of Adult Institutions reports Jeremy Packard, a lieutenant with CDCR’s K-9 Unit, earned special trainer certification at the fall workshop for the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA).
The purpose of the workshop was to certify him as a nationally accredited K-9 trainer. The process was thorough and intense. Packard had to pass a written exam, complete a six-member master-trainer panel interview, and acquire three letters of recommendation from master trainers.
Since starting with the department in 1998, close to half of his career has been with the K-9 Unit. When asked if he thought the training was challenging, Packard said, “It wasn’t so much challenging, but more stressful going through the process.”
Each year, the Department has approved Packard to attend NAPWDA’s week long workshop. He was able to further his knowledge with a nationally recognized level of training from master trainers with decades of experience. This allows Packard to bring new ideas and/or techniques back to the Department’s K-9 Program.
The workshop includes advance tactical techniques, understanding of canine drug detection, scenario based training, and the theory of canine detention behavior.
In the end, Packard is now one of 35 NAPWDA trainers in North America and became one of three K-9 trainers in California, and the only one certified in narcotics training.
Learn more about the North American Police Work Dog Association.