Nampa Police Department adds new K9 members

NAMPA, ID (CBS2) — The Nampa Police Department's team just got a whole lot bigger. It has added three new four-legged officers to take on the role of crime stoppers.

The canines will undergo extensive training before they can hit the streets.

"The academy is pretty long, long days, lots of reps," said Sgt. Brad Childers with Nampa Police.

But while training is long, the handlers make sure their canines have a little bit of fun too.

"We make sure it's a fun game for them from day one, so when obedience begins of walk next to me, the dog is paid for that and same thing when we start introducing odors of drugs to these dogs. It's immediately a fun game," Childers said.

The canines undergo training for six weeks, and the most important part of that training is the bond that develops between the handler and canine.

"Day one is starting with a bond between that handler and the dog. The dog is now a part of their family. He goes home every night when them and is now part of their family at home," Childers said.

Nampa Police has one of the largest K9 units in Nampa.

"It not only helps us locate drugs and bad guys out on the street but also gives us an opportunity to connect with our community through K9 demos, and social media events," Childers said.

"When you get to spend your day with a partner behind you 24/7, whether I'm at home or in my patrol car, I have a buddy that I spend with the whole time."

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