2. K-9 Unit Officer Careers

3. Requirements The requirements that are needed to become a K-9 Officer are the same as the requirements needed to become a law enforcement officer. 1. Must have a two-year associate's degree, or at least 60 accredited college credit hours or 4 years military service. 2. You will also need to be able to pass a physical test. 3. To be able to be a K-9 Officer along with the other requirements you need to have special dog training/handling training.

4. Before you Become a K-9 Officer You will need to have prior job experience with police or military. You will need to rise through ranks to show high level of understanding of the law enforcement

5. Salaries K-9 police officers may earn as little as $32,000 a year in the 10 percentile range, but they also could make around $80,000 in the 90 percentile range. Officers that work for the state on average earn $58,200 a year. Officers that work for city or local level earn $55,710. Officers that work on federal level earn $51,590 a year.

6. Types of Police Dogs search and rescue cadaver dogs enforcing public order detection dogs arson dogs

7. Dog Training The police dog has to learn to obey and listen to its handler. Just like the officer having to pass an agility and endurance test, the K-9 has to do the same. It takes years to train the dog to learn to smell and find its trained specialty with an order. The K-9 also has to acclimate to the city life so it can be confident and not nervous around people.

8. K-9 Vs. Man With Guns

9. Work Cited http://www.lawenforcementedu.net/police-officer/k9- unit/ http://www.lawenforcementedu.net/police-officer/k9- unit/ http://www.careerprofiles.info/k9-police-officer- salary.html http://www.degreetree.com/resources/how-to-become-a- k9-officer http://www.degreetree.com/resources/how-to-become-a- k9-officer http://www.realpolice.net/articles/training/police-and- law-enforcement-general-job-requirements.html http://www.realpolice.net/articles/training/police-and- law-enforcement-general-job-requirements.html http://people.howstuffworks.com/police-dog3.htm http://blutube.policeone.com/k9-videos/1431806398001- k9-vs-man-with-guns/