With an aim to add additional bite to its force, Delhi Police’s 34 young K9s have started their training at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s (ITBP) Basic Training Centre (BTC) in Haryana’s Panchkula.
The three-month training started early this month. After the training, the canines will be ready to be deployed during the G-20 summit scheduled to be held in the national capital.
Delhi Police’s K9 force included Belgian Malinois, Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers. They are from a private kennel in Hyderabad and are six months old.
Apart from learning to follow the instructions of their handlers, these K9s are getting training in basic techniques for detecting explosive and narcotic substances.
As per the ITBP, a total of 40 Delhi Police personnel are also being trained to handle these dogs. These officers will remain with the dogs throughout their service years of 10-12 years. The dogs are given to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) after they have served their time.
These dogs are being trained in leash obedience, left and right turn, automatic sit and down, staying in one place, coming when called, accepting and refusing food on command, handshake, right and left, distance training including turn circle and figure, halting, sit and stay down and sleep and stay dead.
The behaviour management programme will increase confidence in their handler. It will also help in overcoming feelings of uncertainty. Other training includes carrying objects, recovering with the ball and wooden dumbbells and jumping on a board.
Speaking with The New Indian, ITBP Inspector General (IG) Ishwar Singh Duhan said that the objective of this training is to scientifically train the dogs using modern conditioning techniques, including positive reinforcement, sniffing for scents of various wildlife products and mastery of tracking skills.
“In addition, the dogs will be exposed to various real-life search scenarios in populated and forest areas. This training programme will be designed and run to accommodate both basic obedience and recognition skills,” IG Duhan added.
Authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure foolproof security arrangements given the G20 Summit is scheduled to take place at Pragati Maidan later this year.
At least 20 world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend the summit.
These canines will be deployed at various places in the national capital to avert and pre-empt any security threat during the G20 Summit.
With the addition of these 34, the strength of the Delhi Police Canine Squad has reached 99.