Murphy – Epic, the police dog who works with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, earned his recertification for what is described as the “gold standard” for training and proficiency in narcotics detection.
Epic – part of a team that includes his handler, sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Dore – received the recertification following testing held Oct. 3-4. The K-9 unit was recognized in narcotics detection and tracking.
Epic was nationally recertified with the North American Police Working Dog Association in Narcotics Detection. The certification focuses on real-world police work and scenarios, sheriff’s Capt. David Williams said.
“The narcotics test included scenarios involving building/room searches,
vehicle searches, locker searches and outdoor/open air searches,” Williams said. “The tracking test included a half-mile-long track, over three different terrain surfaces, with a minimum of three directional turns. In the initial certification, the Cherokee County K-9 performed to the highest level in both events.”
One of the major benefits of these certifications is it validates the training and competency of a K-9 team, particularly as it relates to probable cause in narcotics detection cases, Williams said.
Epic is nationally certified as a narcotic detection dog for methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
Epic is also Narcotics Detection Certified with two national organizations, the North American Police Working Dog Association and Police, Military & Professional Working Dogs Standards.