On 21^th-23^th November Experience exchange visit to the State Police of Latvia and State Police College took place in Riga, Latvia.

10 Lithuanian Police Forensic Science Centre Dog Training Board staff and their service dogs visited the State Police of Latvia and State Police College where together with colleges from Latvia explored partner institutions structure, functions and organization of dog handlers training and working processes. Within this meeting, Lithuanian and Latvian police dog handlers shared their theoretical and practical experience, as well as implemented variety of different practical training.

Within Experience exchange visit, State Police of Latvia K9 expert presented structure, functions and organization of the Cynology Unit of the State Police of Latvia, as well as distribution of dog handlers’ work areas, service dogs’ specialization and other valuable information. Presentation continued with productive discussion on dog handling field. Moreover, the current position and challenges of the Police Cynology in Latvia were presented and discussed. The Latvian State Police College K9 expert presented Cynology Unit functions, training programs and methodologies for training of young puppies to uptake of best practices and K9 training programs evaluation and improvement.

Within the practical training module, dog handlers and instructors were involved in different activities and exercises on drug search. Besides valuable tactical training leaded by representative of the Special Forces Battalion of the State Police of Latvia took place and ensured implementation of specialized tasks on building search, drug search and person detention.

Within two Experience exchange visits to Project partners’ institutions in Latvia and Lithuania, different K9 topics were discussed and valuable conclusions were made. Events outputs and gained conclusions could be implemented to enhance service dog training processes and to improve training infrastructure. Valuable experience gained from practical training could be implemented in the use of service dogs at the scene of the crime, drug search, detention, building search etc. Moreover, collaboration opportunities for future joint training strategy development were established.

Information about Project Experience exchange visit to the Lithuanian Police Forensic Science Centre Dog Training Board is available here.