Tarkio Police Department K9 Officer Tyler Dorrel and K9 Hemi earned the Master Tracker award during the HAPDA Police Dog recertification trials in Manhattan, Kansas.

Officer Dorrel and K9 Hemi track the scent in the Master Tracker trial. (Tarkio Police Department Facebook photo)

Tarkio Police Officer Tyler Dorrel and his K9 Hemi traveled to Manhattan, Kansas, to participate in the Heart of America Police Dog Association (HAPDA) police dog recertification trials. Approximately 30 K9 teams were in attendance.

Hemi’s recertification test included narcotics detection in three settings, including buildings, vehicles, and parcels. The dogs were also given a basic tracking scenario in woods and fields. Three judges picked the top two dogs to compete for a Master Tracker award. Officer Dorrel and Hemi and an officer and dog duo from Mills County, Iowa, were selected. The test was much harder than the basic tracking and had Officer Dorrel and Hemi tracking a scent through extremely dense woods and underbrush, through fields, and over a road and through a barbed wire fence. Due to Hemi’s tracking performance and Officer Dorrel’s handling of him and recognizing his cues, the two were presented the Master Tracker award.

This is a huge honor and both should be congratulated on a job well done!