Service dogs - the 'special soldiers' of the riot police.

Silent victories

Among the notable achievements of the “police dog"The team responsible for managing and utilizing service animals, under the Mobile Police Department of the Provincial Police, has handled cases related to drugs. A typical example is the arrest of Nguyen Khac Trung (born in 1970), residing in Kim Son town (Que Phong district)."

Specifically, in mid-September 2020, through intelligence gathering, the Que Phong District Police identified a large-scale illegal drug trafficking and transportation ring in the area and established a special task force to combat it, deploying police dogs for patrols. Further investigation quickly identified the ringleader as Nguyen Khac Trung, who had numerous prior convictions related to drugs.

The suspect Nguyen Khac Trung and the seized evidence at the investigative agency. Photo: Quynh Trang

After nearly a month of investigation, the Special Task Force obtained information that on September 30, 2020, the suspect would rent a car to transport a large quantity of drugs to Ha Tinh province for sale. Around 4:00 AM that same day, when the car with license plate 37A - 618.51 carrying Nguyen Khac Trung appeared in Tien Phong commune (Que Phong district), the task force inspected it. Despite thoroughly searching the vehicle, they found no evidence. The suspect remained unconcerned, believing that law enforcement would be unable to find the drugs.

At this point, police dogs were deployed and detected signs of drugs from a pair of speakers and a plastic container. Initially, no one claimed ownership, but later, the passengers pointed to the newly arrived passenger, Nguyen Khac Trung, who then admitted to possessing the drugs. A search revealed three blocks of heroin, divided in half, inside the speakers, and 10,000 pills of synthetic drugs. The suspect confessed to buying the drugs from a Lao national in the border area between Dong Van and Thong Thu communes and was on his way to Ha Tinh to sell them when he was arrested.

Furthermore, in dangerous areas where officers cannot be deployed, police dogs are often used as vanguards. For example, a shocking incident occurred in Vinh City at 10:30 AM on October 1, 2018, when Le Ngoc Son (born in 1985) used grenades to barricade himself at house number 128, Hong Bang Street, Le Mao Ward, while police were executing an emergency arrest warrant.

Hundreds of police officers and snipers sealed off Hong Bang Street, surrounding and attempting to apprehend suspect Le Ngoc Son. (Photo: NH)

In response to the situation, the unit dispatched 7 training officers and 5 police dogs to coordinate with other operational forces to approach the suspect. When the suspect unexpectedly grabbed a grenade and rushed out to create pressure and escape, the police dogs immediately charged, causing the suspect to back down and retreat into the house. Through the coordinated and decisive implementation of operational measures, with the cooperation and support of relevant agencies and local authorities, the suspect was successfully apprehended; 3 grenades and other evidence were seized, ensuring the absolute safety of the people and property.

"In this case, with the suspect holding three grenades, if it weren't for the police dogs, officers, soldiers, and even civilians could have been injured or killed by the suspect," recounted an officer from the Service Animal Management and Utilization Team of the Provincial Police's Mobile Police Department.

In addition, working dogs participate in coordinated patrols, control operations, and drills for various crowd dispersal plans, target protection, and security for large events and complex court proceedings.

Hard work

Data from the Animal Management and Utilization Team of the Provincial Police's Mobile Police Department shows that: In 2021, under the direction of the Provincial Police leadership and the Mobile Police Department, in coordination with professional departments and police units and localities, the team deployed 105 officers and 23 working dogs to participate in patrols to maintain security and order in the area, arresting many individuals for violating the law, seizing 17 adult tigers; 700 synthetic drug pills; 0.39 grams of heroin; 500 grams of ketamine; 38 ecstasy pills and other related evidence.

Thorough briefing before each training session. Photo: D.C.

Since the beginning of 2022, 133 officers and 61 police dogs have been deployed to patrol and maintain security and order in the area, apprehending numerous individuals for illegal activities. The seized evidence includes 231 grams of heroin; 10 grams of ketamine; 4 ecstasy pills (1.6 grams); 1 electronic scale; 2 motorcycles; 12 mobile phones; 2 swords; 100 million VND in cash; and other related items.

To ensure the required tasks are completed, the dogs selected for training are typically Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, Cocker Spaniels, etc. Basic training lasts six months at the Ministry of Public Security's Professional Animal Training Center. Each person is assigned a nearly two-year-old dog, at an age where it is psychologically stable, to get acquainted with and train. After passing the assessments, the dogs are returned to their units and continue training in various conditions and environments to serve their specific duties.

Major Nguyen Dang De - Team Leader of the Service Animal Management and Utilization Team, under the Mobile Police Department of the Provincial Police.

Each dog, with its unique personality, will be trained in a different specialty, but to be selected, they must meet stringent requirements such as a healthy nervous system, good appearance, and especially a keen sense of smell, sight, and hearing. Specifically, for specialty dogs specializing in detecting specific substances (such as drugs, explosives, etc.) and scent sources, a balanced nervous system, assimilation, and a gentle nature are required; while for protection and tracking, a strong, aggressive nervous system, a large physique, and the ability to subdue are necessary.

Obstacle course training is one of the important aspects of working dog training. Photo: D.C.

Major Nguyen Cong Tu, a training officer, stated: "Training working dogs is an extremely arduous and difficult process. First and foremost, it requires officers and soldiers to love animals, be truly passionate about the profession, and possess high levels of patience, because this is a demanding, meticulous job that involves sweat, and even bloodshed. On average, working dogs weigh between 45 and 50 kg, and being attacked by dogs is not uncommon for training officers."

In particular, with working dogs, each person is only allowed to care for and train one dog until it is discharged. This can be 5 years, 6 years, or even 9 years for some dogs. Therefore, trainers must treat each dog like their own child, taking care of it personally, from feeding and bathing to regularly petting and encouraging it.

According to Major Nguyen Dang De, the unit has a dedicated cook to prepare each meal for the dogs, ensuring that each portion and quantity of nutrients is calculated specifically and scientifically. In particular, "Whenever a dog is sick or there is an outbreak of disease, the trainers decide to eat and stay at the unit, and all household chores must be put aside...", Major De said.

Training police dogs in a crime suppression exercise. Photo: D.C.

Indeed, each person and each force has a mission, all for the peaceful life of the people. However, for officers and soldiers working in the management and use of working animals, with their unique difficulties, besides loving animals, they must also be passionate about their profession. This is a necessary condition for them – those who train working dogs – to overcome all obstacles and remain committed to the work they have chosen.