Check out the Texas DPS K-9 Training Program
Check out the Texas DPS K-9 Training Program
Fox is looking internally at the Texas Department of Public Safety’s elite K-9 program. There, rigorous training transforms inexperienced dogs into highly skilled units specialising in drug detection, explosives and tracking.
Austin, Texas – Texas Public Safety Bureau (DPS) is expanding its K-9 training program to deploy highly trained dogs to support drug stopping, explosive detection, and statewide tracing missions.
Boydrum, a 19-year veteran of DPS and a member of the K-9 program, took Fox on a tour of his training facility in Florence, Texas, to turn untrained dogs into specialized law enforcement assets.
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“We take the dog from a green dog that we know absolutely nothing and turn it into a working machine,” said Lamchut. “Whether it’s a drug detection, an explosive detection, or a tracking dog, we’re going to start with the basics here and send them all over Texas.”
Texas DPS dogs practice adapting to “controlled chaos” while boarding a helicopter. (Sarah Allegle)
The program takes pride in its exposure to real-world scenarios, including controlled chaotic situations such as helicopter deployment.
“All kind of exposure we can showcase them is important,” Lamchut said. “We want to make sure that once they’re out there… whether it’s an explosive detection mission or a drug blocking operation, they can do it without shutting down.”
DPS currently operates 74 K-9 teams statewide, including 51 drug detection teams, nine explosive detection teams and around 13 tracking teams. Many of these groups have been deployed as part of Operation Lone Star, a state initiative to stop drug smuggling and illegal boundary intersections. Tracking dogspecifically, it plays a major role at borders and helps people with anxiety as they try to escape law enforcement.
K-9 handler Landon Ravun is stationed in Del Rio and is suitable for any scenario. Body camera footage shows how Lavon and his K-9 Bona made good use of his training last summer during a mission in which he tracked down a fugitive for the murder.
“It’s a very important job we do. It’s incredible to go behind her and see the abilities and the amazing things she can do,” Lavon said.
Border dogs practice real-life experiences tracking illicit personnel on robust terrain. (Sarah Allegle)
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Training program for handlers And their dogs are intensive and after the dog completes the pre-training phase that lasts between 6 and 15 weeks, each pair receives co-tutoring for 9 weeks.
Lt. Col. Lamb said, “These dogs will become part of Handler’s family. When I graduated with the dog in 2014, she became part of my life. When she retired, my family began spending time with her, but when she passed away in 2022, it started spending time with her. It’s like losing a family. ”
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Beyond border enforcement and drug detection, the DPS K-9 program has also played an important role in search and rescue missions. One of our chase dogs helped us find a 38-year-old special needs man wandering in Los Napols Park. He was missing for 4-6 hours, was severely dehydrated and needed help immediately.
“Our K-9 team found him and brought him back to his family,” recalls Lamchut. “In that moment alone, the whole program was worth it.”
The K-9 Julio offers aerial views while acclimating to new heights. (Sarah Allegle)
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With continued expansion efforts, DPS aims to further integrate K-9 units into operations across Texas, with law enforcement aiming to ensure highly trained dogs ready for any mission.