FCPD K-9s Are Iron Dog Champions

All five Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) K-9 teams that entered the Virginia Police Canine Association (VPCA) 2012 Iron Dog Competition won awards and recognition for their strength, stamina and team work.

FCPD dog Kodiak took first place as the overall Iron Dog winner for 2012. He and handler Officer Brad Weeks also took first place in the firearms category and third place in the muzzle events.

Blitz and his handler MPO Mark Dale took third place in the overall competition, placing first in agility, first in area search, and second in firearms events.

Ike and handler MPO Robin Wyatt, Zeus and handler MPO Gary Brown, and Colt and handler PFC Kevin Clarke also brought home top awards in both individual and team efforts.

The competition was held Wednesday, May 16 at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds with K-9 teams from more than 30 top law enforcement and military agencies across the region.  This is the third year FCPD teams have taken part in the day-long event, dubbed “the ultimate police K-9 Challenge".

Contestants were timed during a 1.5 mile course that includeed stations testing firearms, scent tracking (either narcotic or explosives), decoy apprehension, vehicle searches, and environmental distractions. The course is made challenging with true-to-life obstacles including fences, hedges, creeks and horse jumps.

The Fairfax County Police Department provided this information to Patch.