Corpus Christi Medical Center has made a donation to the Corpus Christi Police Foundation to purchase and train the newest member of the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) K9 Unit. On September 7, representatives from Corpus Christi Medical Center and City of Corpus Christi officials participated in a special badge pinning celebration to welcome the K9 officer to the police force.
Tex, a Dutch Shepherd, attended specialized training with his handler officer over the past three months and is ready to serve and protect the citizens of Corpus Christi. This comprehensive training included three weeks of odor detection exercises to prepare them for various situations they may encounter in the community. The K9 team also completed two additional weeks of patrol functions training, including building searches and apprehensions. Following this training, they achieved their narcotics detection and patrol duties certifications.
Currently, seven dogs serve as officers with CCPD. Tex will serve the local Corpus Christi area for four to six years. He is the second K9 sponsored by Corpus Christi Medical Center.
Dogs have been used in law enforcement since the Middle Ages and are an essential component of modern law enforcement, filling a vital role in the fight against crime. With their sharp sense of smell, they aid in the search for missing or wanted persons and assist with investigations. The most commonly used breeds are German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, but several other breeds are represented as having some unique talents.
In the United States, police K-9s usually serve in the force for six to nine years. In many countries, intentionally injuring or killing a police dog is criminal.