The Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA) was founded to bring together canine handlers across Arizona for the Desert Dog K9 Trials & Public Safety Expo. Now in its 21st year, this event has evolved into a significant public engagement and entertainment occasion. Through the support of sponsors, ALECA has expanded its mission to include top-tier training for law enforcement and the provision of life-saving medical and safety equipment for both canines and officers.
“The support we provide to our member agencies is vast,” says Tony Sanborn, president, Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA). “We assist agencies in purchasing canines, paying for their training, buying medical equipment and equipment for their vehicles. And of course, we provide ongoing rigorous training of our professional law enforcement K9 teams out there. Many don’t realize it takes years in the field before officers are invited to become K9 handlers. It’s intense, rugged duty, so our ongoing training is critical.”
ALECA also, with the support of Circle K, developed the Handler Trauma Kit (HTK). Designed to be worn under the vest, the HTK ensures handlers are always prepared for emergencies. The kit includes tools to manage common canine injuries, such as cactus needle removal and opioid ingestion. Over 400 kits have been distributed throughout Arizona, with plans for at least 120 more each year.
The HTK has gained attention for its effectiveness, leading to requests for similar kits for family pet emergencies.
Sanborn says the organization’s biggest impact on public safety and the community has been the Desert Dog K9 Trials (this year’s event will be held Oct. 26-27 at WestWorld of Scottsdale).
“Thanks to our four-legged partners, the general public is keenly curious about all we do. We make more connections and build more bonds and public trust in that one weekend than any event all year,” says Sanborn. “It is the marquee event in Arizona for public safety appreciation. We’re proud of the results and feedback received from the thousands of guests who attend each year.”
ALECAPoliceK9.com
Meet Officer Officer Keegan Smith [Badge # 100401]
As an ALECA-trained officer handler, what is the best way you believe you’ve been able to impact the community?
I like to think that Vader and I have made a positive impact on Gilbert in a few ways. First, Vader has performed exceptionally well at drug detection, and we have removed several pounds of illegal drugs from circulation within the East Valley. Vader has also led Gilbert PD officers and SWAT operators to clear several dozen homes and businesses for intruders (Vader has had nearly 300 deployments and contributed to 150 arrests). Finally, Vader and I have participated in dozens of community outreach events at schools and similar venues where we get to interact with the community to share a bit about what we do.
What is one thing you train every dog to do?
I want to train every K9 I work with to be social by default and aggressive by command. For example, when we are at community events, the K9 needs to be engaged for demonstrations and when on a call, needs to be focused on the scenario at hand to resolve it as safely and quickly as possible for all involved.
How old is the average police K9? And how old must they be to start?
Here at Gilbert, our youngest recent dog started working at around 14 months. Most dogs are usually a bit more mature at 18-24 months when they get started. Our oldest active dog is about 4.5 years old, so our whole team should have several more years together.
How many active police K9s are on duty in Gilbert?
Gilbert currently has one single-purpose drug detection dog and three dual-purpose K9s. Our single-purpose K9 is trained in drug detection discipline, while our dual-purpose K9s are trained in drug detection and patrol work.
“Thanks to our four-legged partners, the general public is keenly curious about all we do. We make more connections and build more public trust in that one weekend than any event all year,