May 30, 2022–6:41 p.m.
NEWS RELEASE
During the week of May 23rd through May 26th, 2022, the Rome Police Department canine units participated in the annual United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) regional certification.
The USPCA certification is known nationwide as one of the most challenging certifications that a canine team can certify in.
The USPCA certification requires canine teams to show exceptional control and skills regarding obedience, agility, suspect search, evidence search, criminal apprehension, and narcotics detection.
While participating in the recent Region 22 USPCA certification in Huntsville, Alabama, the Rome Police Department’s K9 Ash, accompanied by his handler PFC. Josh Glover, received multiple awards for his performance.
After completion of the week-long certification, K9 Ash and his handler were awarded medals for 1st place for vehicle narcotics detection, 2nd place in obedience, 3rd place overall as a patrol dog, and 3rd place overall as a patrol and narcotics detection canine.
K9 Ash successfully completed all aspects of certification finishing within two points of the 1st and 2nd place canine teams.
During the Region 22 USPCA certification, K9 Ash competed against 33 other canine teams consisting of large and small agencies from Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama proving how highly trained K9 Ash is in comparison to large departments such as the Chattanooga Police Department and Huntsville Police Department.