New Canine Teams Join DPS Crime Fighting Efforts

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today graduated four troopers and canines from an eight-week training program. These canine teams will join 44 other DPS teams stationed throughout Texas, including six explosive-detection teams stationed in Austin.

“The DPS canine program is a powerful law enforcement tool responsible for detecting and keeping ton quantities of drugs off Texas streets,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “These specially trained troopers and dogs possess precise skills and knowledge critical to protecting the state and keeping drugs out of our communities.

The four dogs were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense and K-9 Officers, a non-profit organization. This canine graduation class includes three German Shepherds and one Belgian Malinois. (Three additional dogs, which will replace retiring canines, also completed the program.) All the newly-trained dogs will be used for drug detection.

In 2013, DPS canine teams assisted in the seizure of approximately 14,470 pounds of marijuana, 455 pounds of cocaine, 16 pounds of heroin, 338 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of other drugs and $6.2 million in cash.

For photos of today’s event, please click here.