Last week, the Noblesville Police Department’s K-9 Unit participated in the 18th Annual American Working Dog Police K-9 Olympics held in Denver, Ind. This event is held each year and provides an opportunity for police K-9 units from around the world to not only compete in different areas of work related skills, but also provides an opportunity for officers to network about issues concerning their specialty.
In addition, the K-9 units are also able to complete their annual recertification during the course of the five-day event. There were over 115 teams from across the country represented at this year’s event. Some of the events included skills such as subject searches in open areas and buildings, tracking, obstacle course, control/obedience, narcotic detection in open areas, buildings and vehicles and searches for explosives.
The Noblesville Police Department’s K-9 Unit received several awards and recognition during the competition in the following events:
Patrolman Brandon Brooks & Jabal Awards
- 1st Tracking
- 1st Narcotic Scramble
- 2nd Place Overall Narcotics Team (Fenimore & Swiatkowski)
Patrolman Jerry Fenimore & Ika Awards
- 1st Residential Search
- 2nd Place Overall Narcotics Team (Brooks & Swiatkowski)
NPD shared success in the 3-officer team competition with Officer Jeff Swiatkowski and his K-9 Lopez from the Westfield Police Department. The team took 2nd place in the Overall Narcotics Team category.
The K-9 Unit is an essential tool used by the Noblesville Police Department and in the profession of law enforcement. These units are a tremendous asset because of the dog’s extraordinary sense of smell and ability to be obedient to its police handler. The K-9 Units provide a number of services to our community and can often be found not only working in a law enforcement related capacity but also providing educational classes to groups ranging from school-aged children to senior citizen groups. Whether locating a large amount of narcotics in a vehicle, tracking and apprehending a suspect, searching for a missing child or locating hidden explosives, police K-9 units will remain an invaluable part in law enforcement’s obligation and mission to keep our communities safe.
Anyone wishing to schedule a K-9 demonstration can do so by contacting K-9 Coordinator Sergeant Brad Purvis at (317) 776-6340 ext. 1305 or bpurvis@noblesville.in.us.