Police dogs require trained police dog partners from a K9 unit.
According to K9 Global Training Academy Working Dogs, the Persians, Greeks, Assyrians and Babylonians of around the 5th century B.C. were the first civilizations to use dogs for warfare. Today specialized police squads, called K-9 units, use dogs occasionally to subdue criminals and to sniff for drugs and explosives. Becoming a K-9 officer requires standard police training and additional training in working with your four-legged partner. The salary range for a K-9 officer depends on several factors.
Overview
The pay range of a K-9 unit police officer is generally the same as a standard officer with the same amount of experience with a small stipend included for using your canine partner. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average wage for a police officer at $55,620 per year. Some K-9 departments offer a job premium in additional to the current wage scales for the use of the dog. The Huntsville Alabama Police Department includes a 5 percent wage increase to compensate for the added job requirements. The Pentagon's law enforcement squad offers a 6 percent pay increase for K-9 squad members.
Education and Experience
Experience and education for a K-9 officer, as with any police officer, increases his wages. Many police departments now require a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or similar field as well as completing a formal police academy for initial employment as a deputy or a corporal with income ranging from $49,421 to $61,173. With significant experience or an advanced degree, you may be able to move into a captain position averaging between $72,761 and $91,178.
Work Environment
Due to the specialized training and skills of a K-9 officer, her work environment will likely increase wage potential. Most K-9 unit officers are on call 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. There are simply things she can do that traditional, uniformed officers cannot do. The potential for significant overtime when there is a special investigation or a lost person is substantial and could result in a sizable yearly increase; this may be especially the case in smaller K-9 units with fewer dogs.
Other Considerations
In some positions such as the Transportation Safety Administration's National Explosives Detection Canine Team, you may qualify for hazard pay in addition to a strong salary with overtime potential. Regardless of your squad, most police officers enjoy an array of benefits including health insurance and retirement. You may also get pay specific to caring for your partner as per the Fair Labor Standards Act if the department does not kennel your canine.
Tags: police officer, officer with, your canine