The Companion’s Hero: Investigating the Wellbeing of K-9 Police Officers

• In Event: Police Officer Wellness and Job Satisfaction

Abstract

K-9 police dogs are an essential part of our society and perform critical roles in protecting society against career criminals, would-be criminals, and terrorists of all types. These police officers perform several important duties, such as bomb and explosive detection, detection of illegal drugs, and pursuing and arresting criminals on the street. They are mostly used by their human counterparts to be the first to enter very dangerous and critical situations that may pose a significant threat to the life of the ‘human officers’. Despite their significant contribution to the security and safety of our communities, these K-9 dogs face a lot of problems, especially after retirement. Upon retirement, these dogs are ignored, abandoned, and left to find their shelter, food, and medicine. This project aims to investigate the treatment of K-9 police dogs during and after active service. Using a qualitative approach, the project aims to address questions related to the working conditions of K-9 dogs, benefits, and retirement packages for the dogs. In terms of policy, findings will incite debates about the best practices for treating these special dogs and ultimately lead to policies that aim at improving the conditions of pre- and post-retirement.

Author

• Francis Boateng, University of Mississippi