The fierce and furry protectors of students and staff members throughout the District – EPISD Police Services K9 officers and their handlers – are getting some national recognition.
Five K9 teams from EPISD attended the 2019 National Narcotics Detector Dog Association’s annual conference in the Dallas-Fort Worth area earlier this month and walked away with trophies for excellence in dog-assisted policing.
Officer Phil Deal and K9 Jack, Officer John Dominguez and K9 Drago, Officer Efren Pulido and K9 Nuka, Officer Chris Duran and K9 Gibi, and Officer Christopher Rodriguez and K9 Sam attended the conference to receive important training and then compete in front of peers from throughout the country.
Two teams placed among the top 100 K9 units in the country. Dominguez and Drago were ranked 11th nationally, while Deal and Jack placed 57th in the U.S.
Additionally, Dominguez and Drago were given the “Top Gun” award for new K9 teams that perform at an exemplary level.
“The goal of the EPISD Police Services Department is to serve and protect the children and staff of the District,” said EPISD Police Chief Victor Araiza.
“The work that these officers and K9s have done is proof positive that we are well equipped to give students and teachers safe and secure learning environments.”
