Jaynell Graham
Editor
Imagination and speculation kicked into high gear April 14 when 85 members of the West Virginia Police Canine Association hit town for a week of training and certification.
Officers and Canine (K-9) teams from municipalities, sheriff’s departments, Department of Corrections and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) set up shop at the Marlinton Motor Inn for a week of serious work.
Although this year marked the 32nd annual seminar for the association, it was the first time it had been held in Pocahontas County.
“Everything is amazing here,” said Sgt. Tim Corbett, of the Barboursville Police Department and coordinator of the seminar. “It is the perfect training location.”
The motto of the association is “To Unite and Assist Police Service Dogs and Handlers.”
While the bulk of the training took place around the Marlinton Motor Inn, Edray Industrial Park and Harvest Farm, the units traveled the entire county, even visiting all five schools during the week.
They gave presentations and demonstrations at each school, and the students were allowed to interact with the dogs.
“We also had four or five nine-to-eighteen-week old Bloodhound puppies,” Corbett said. “The dogs can socialize and interact with the kids under the officer’s direction, but when certain equipment goes on, and commands are given, the dog knows it’s time to go to work.”
These dogs are trained to assist law enforcement in a variety of ways; tracking people – the lost and the “wanted;” apprehension; retrieving evidence; drugs and explosives detection; and more.
The DNR has five dogs that work across the state that offer support in the areas of wildlife protection and apprehension of poachers.
Most people are familiar with the use of Bloodhounds in search and recovery operations, but the Canine Units include a variety of breeds: German Short Haired Pointers; Labradors, German Shepherds, even a Belgian Malinois.
The West Virginia Police Canine Association meets for the annual Training and Certification Seminar every year in April. The trainings have been held in all corners of the state. Next year – it might be in your neighborhood.
As for Corbett, he is no stranger to Pocahontas County.
When not on duty, he is the bass player for The Bing Brothers Band.
