LAC LA BICHE - Classes at Lac La Biche's Law Enforcement Training Centre went to the dogs last week — in a good way.
A first-of-its kind training program for peace officers and municipal bylaw officers on animal behaviour was offered at the training facility.
With instruction from a canine unit with the City of Edmonton's Animal Control department, the training course drew officers from across Alberta, says Chris Clark, the director of training at the Law Enforcement Training Centre.
"The training program that was delivered is new and included peace officers and municipal bylaw officers from all over Alberta —as far north as High Level and as far south as Lethbridge," Clark told Lakeland This Week.
The animal behaviour and handling class showed officers not only the many benefits of four-legged enforcement officers, but also the behavioural aspects of small animals the officers may encounter while on duty.
While small animal behavioural workshops are often held in agricultural settings, Clark said this was the first class of its type to be taught in Alberta for law enforcement.
"The course is a new program that has never been conducted before and our training centre was the first to conduct it," he said.
Participants taking the program paid $350 for the all-day session.
The Lac La Biche County Law Enforcement Training Centre offers a wide-range of individual courses for existing officers and full program training for recruits looking to become law enforcement officers.
