K-9 handlers complete two-week training course in Tahlequah

Several K-9 handlers completed a two-week Basic Handlers Course Friday morning in Tahlequah and District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp thanked them for being invested in the course.

"I appreciate everybody out there and I hope [DA Agent Travis Saulsberry] was good to you all and I hope he was able to [instill] some good knowledge that'll help you be successful," Thorp said.

Saulsberry said the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (C.L.E.E.T.) changed its regulations and new handlers are required to complete 160 hours of a two-week course while experienced handlers are required to complete 80 hours of a two-week course.

"Now departments are out more training - budget wise - if they have to send their teams off for hotels and most places charge whereas Jack lets us do this for free - no charge to the agencies," Saulsberry said.

A week-long course can cost a department close to $1,000, Saulsberry added.

The course covered scent theory and movement, basic leach control, case law, narcotic search, send and recall from reward, obedience, track to decoy, and much more.