GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Green Bay Police Department K9 Vader has been working with Officer Tom Conley since July.
Conley said the two train twice a month to maintain Vader’s skills.
“We have a maintenance training twice a month. So we go over continued detection work, patrol work, patrol scenarios, general obedience,” Conley said.
Reading a partner’s signals
The training also focuses on helping Conley understand Vader’s responses.
Vader searched around the building during that call and did not alert to any explosive material.
Conley said a K9 can make a difference in those situations.
“They can cover a lot more surface area and generalized area than we can as people doing hands, like having to hand search things,” Conley said.
A partnership beyond patrol
Conley said Vader is with him for nearly every part of his day.
“I spend more time with this dog than I do with my family on a regular basis. Every time, every day, every single waking moment, this dog is with me,” Conley said.
Conley said each dog has its own personality, and handlers must adjust to the dog they are working with.
“They’re their own being, so you have to adjust and accommodate to that dog to get the best results. Because ideally, you want to be a team,” Conley said.
Vader and Conley have been partners for a few months.
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