Eleven regional police K-9 teams spent six days training in realistic, low-light conditions at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant from August 24 through 29.
The training focused on skills the teams may use during real-world incidents, including narcotics detection, building searches and tracking suspects.
Sgt. Clay Beckman with the Burlington Police Department coordinated the certification event. Beckman also served as the K-9 handling certification authority and participated in the training as a handler.
Teams worked throughout several areas of the ammunition plant, taking part in advanced narcotics detection exercises, building-clearing drills involving two officers and man-tracking exercises with both compliant and noncompliant suspects.
Officials say allowing local law enforcement agencies to train inside the installation helps strengthen relationships between the Army and surrounding communities. It also gives officers an opportunity to become familiar with the plant’s layout so they can work more effectively with Army security forces if an emergency occurs.
IAAAP Commander Lt. Col. Daniel Nosse said the training helps improve readiness while strengthening partnerships with local law enforcement.
Beckman said the ammunition plant’s secure perimeter, security personnel and warehouse facilities provided handlers and their dogs with realistic training conditions.
Participating agencies included the Burlington, West Burlington, Fort Madison and Keokuk police departments, along with sheriff’s offices from Henderson, Barbour, Gentry, Mason and Nodaway counties.
