K-9 Competition Decides Which Nebraska Team Is Best

One wears a badge, the other a collar, but together an officer and his K-9 act as a team. A competition among law enforcement agencies to decide who has the best team in Nebraska began Friday in Omaha.

Three officers were dressed as overstuffed suspects because the one who resists will be caught in the teeth of the law. “Quit fighting my dog and I’ll call him back.”

Protecting their partner, then releasing on command, was one of a dozen events for police service dogs and their handlers. “How much force the dog actually has when he comes in, does he come in and hesitate or does he come in full out,” said competition judge Lt. Mark Stokey.

Eighteen K-9 teams from area law enforcement agencies competed for medals and the dogs sensed the competition. “They see the ‘bite suits’ and the other training gear and they get worked up for it,” said Douglas County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Ed Van Buren.

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