- Info
CIA K-9 Corps: A Special Breed
The CIA has a diverse work force – from engineers and
linguists to doctors and analysts. But we have a special breed of employees at
the CIA, too. It’s our CIA K-9 Corps.
The CIA established the K-9 Corps in 1991. Since then, the
number of K-9s and their human partners has increased, and the Corps has plans
for more growth. (Take a look at our growing K-9 Corps.)
The Corps’ main responsibility is to protect the CIA and its employees. All
of the canines are federal police officers and are assigned their own police
badge. What makes the K-9 Corps so special is the dogs’ ability to sniff out
19,000 explosive scents, which makes them ideal explosive detection officers.
The CIA K-9s learn all of these scents in a 10-week training program. At the
end of the training, the dogs and their human partners take 10 indoor and
outdoor tests. Some of the canines receive street training, which sharpens the
dogs’ skills in obedience, agility, article search, suspect search, and
criminal apprehension. When that training ends, the dogs have to pass a final
exam. The top dogs then report for duty as members of the CIA K-9 Corps.
To keep the dogs at the top of their game, the K-9s and their
handlers also participate in competitions throughout the year. Each year, members
of the Corps look forward to the regional and national competitions sponsored
by The United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). When the dogs score
enough points in the regional events, they go on to the national competitions.
At the national level, teams compete against other teams from all over the
United States and Canada.
Due to their extensive training and unique skills, the CIA
K-9 Corps oftentimes works with other law enforcement teams. Our K-9s assist
the US Park Police, the Fairfax County (Virginia)
Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The K-9s and their
handlers also travel regularly to locations here and abroad.
With all their responsibilities, the CIA K-9s work about 60 hours a week.
And when they’re away from “the office,” they’re always on call. The “top dogs”
in the CIA K-9 Corps are just like all of the CIA’s best employees:
enthusiastic, hard working, loyal, and dedicated. And their handlers will tell
you that the dogs love their jobs.
Historical Document
Posted: Nov 01, 2007 07:04 AM
Last Updated: Jun 20, 2008 08:57 AM
Last Reviewed: Nov 01, 2007 07:04 AM