NDIRF Sponsors K9 Training for ND Law Enforcement Agencies
The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) sponsored in fall 2021 electric collar (E-Collar) K9 training attended by 16 handlers from eight local law enforcement agencies, including Dunn County, McKenzie County, Stark County, and Ward County sheriff’s offices, and the city of Belfield, Bismarck, Dickinson, Mandan, Minot, and Williston police departments.
As the provider of risk services for North Dakota political subdivisions, the NDIRF’s sponsorship of this training helps to improve communication between K9s and their handlers using an E-Collar.
According to Police1, an online law enforcement training center, E-Collars have electric contact points and a radio receiver tuned to the handler’s handheld transmitter, allowing the handler to use alternating currents to communicate commands to K9s in close range or at a distance. Commands include stay, hold (to subdue a perpetrator), and drop the hold.
“We are honored to provide liability coverage and risk services for North Dakota’s local law enforcement agencies,” shared NDIRF CEO Brennan Quintus. “By participating in this training and the other training opportunities we are proud to sponsor, these agencies demonstrate their ongoing commitment to training and continued improvement in the way they provide services to their community and our state as a whole.”
Handlers who took part in the training described it as extremely valuable, citing improved communication between handlers and K9s as one of the biggest takeaways.
“I want to thank the NDIRF for sponsoring the recent E-Collar training we attended,” shared City of Williston K9 Officer Jason Jonas. “This training gave me the opportunity to learn and communicate with K9 Sisu like never before. This training will positively affect our team, and the communities we work in, and I want to thank the NDIRF for helping us with that.”
K9 Officer Jonas and Sisu graduated K9 School in November 2020. Sisu is a dual-purpose canine, trained in article search, tracking, narcotics, and apprehension.
Photo: City of Williston K9 Officer Jason Jonas (left) with K9 Sisu at the NDIRF-sponsored E-Collar training graduation celebration, fall 2021.