Police dog handlers and experts, who on Thursday, 5 November 2009, attended the first panel of experts on the use of service dogs, have once more demonstrated their deep commitment to the development of the use of service dogs in police activities and elsewhere.
The panel of experts held at the Police Academy in Tacen was, in addition to police dog handlers and experts from the Police, also attended by representatives of the Slovenian Kennel Club, the Prison Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Units of Rescue Dogs, the Slovenian Armed Forces, the Customs Administration, the Hunters Association of Slovenia and other organisations dealing with dogs.
In his introductory address the Director General of the Police, Janko Goršek, emphasised the important role of dog handlers and service dogs in police work.
At this panel of experts emphasis was placed on the important work done by the Service Dogs Training Section, which has been successfully training handlers and service dogs to perform police tasks for more than sixty years, albeit under different names. With its expertise and commitment the Training Section has contributed to the development of canine science in Slovenia and earned the reputation it now enjoys among canine experts and European police schools for service dogs.
Experts from different fields discussed the advantages and effectiveness of the two partners, man and dog, working together in search of missing persons, perpetrators of minor and criminal offences, in maintaining law and order, and in the detection of illicit drugs and explosives. They also expressed their concern about the problems associated with this line of police work.
One of the most prominent Slovenian canine experts, Jože Vidic, spoke about the importance and role of dogs in modern times.
The panel of experts on the use of service dogs generated great interest.
Adil Huselja, the main co-ordinator for service dogs and the police cavalry at the Uniformed Police Directorate of the General Police Directorate, highlighted practical aspects of the use of service dogs, which, due to their specific characteristics, are irreplaceable in police work.
Adil Huselja, the main co-ordinator for service dogs and the police cavalry at the Uniformed Police Directorate of the General Police Directorate
Head of the Service Dogs Training Section, Marko Medvešek, presented the difficulties encountered by his section since its establishment, particularly a lack of suitable dogs.
Many experts in this field participated in the panel of experts. Interesting and diverse presentations included the importance of training and practical use of muzzle defence and attack, and dog massage to enhance mobility, physical and mental readiness for work and faster unwinding and relaxation after work. The following topics were also discussed at the panel of experts: the advantages of using service dogs to detect weapons and bodies, training and use of rescue dogs in Slovenia, development of canine science in the Military Police, use of hunting dogs, problems of service dog handlers with respect to illicit drug detection, and the communication role played by dog handlers and service dogs in creating a positive image of the police force, etc.
A distinguished canine expert, Miroslav Zidar, who also attended the panel of experts, commended the organisers for their initiative.
Despite technological development, service dogs are still very useful and often irreplaceable in the most demanding police tasks. The rich programme of the panel of experts and the great number of participants from the Police and other institutions prove that the Police and others are deeply committed to the development of the use of service dogs.
