Receive up to $15,000 in police dog grants to start or enhance a K9 unit.
Police dogs are used for a number of law enforcement purposes such as tracking fugitives and detecting narcotics. Unfortunately, the budgets of many law enforcement agencies are typically limited and cannot allow for the expense of purchasing dogs, training and equipment; not to mention day to day care of canine officers. The good news for police officers and "Joe public" alike is that many organizations offer police dog grants to help provide police department with the dogs and the training needed to keep the public safe.
Private Company Grant
Sometimes law agencies can acquire police dog grants from privately-owned dog training facilities that specialize in police dog training. "Tri-State K9" -- serving Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia -- offers a police dog grant to eligible law enforcement agencies once a year. Annual awards are chosen by the facility and include a free professionally-trained police dog and complimentary handler training. Only small agencies -- less than 10 officers -- that currently have no canine units or dogs on staff may apply. Applications must be completed by the chief or commanding officer of your department with approval of your city council or county commission. Other requirements include proof of adequate funds to care for the dog and the ability to attend mandatory police dog handling classes.
Government Grants For Law Agencies
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and the American Working Dog Council (AWDC) have partnered to provide Illinois law enforcement agencies with two types of police dog grants. Police K9 grants provide police departments with dogs and related equipment such as remote door poppers, bite suits and temperature alarms. The Narcotics Dog grants include a dog, 80 hours of handler's training and a nationally-recognized police dog certification. AWDC offers similar police dog grants to law enforcement agencies nationwide through local state departments.
Penny Harris Foundation K9 Training, Placement Grants
The Penny Harris Foundation is dedicated to providing enhanced public safety through the care, training and placement of active -- and retired -- canine police dogs. The foundation works with law enforcement agencies to create public awareness of the need for funding for canine law enforcement operations and helps organize charitable campaigns to raise funds. In 2011, grant awards are used to cover the $15,000 expense of a police dog, training and all required supplies and equipment. For a "full grant", all donations obtained through a fund raising campaign are held in an account for the participating police department. When sufficient funding goals are met, a grant in the full amount is awarded to the corresponding agency. You can also apply for "partial grants" in which case you may forgo the fund raising campaign; however, you must be able to provide a majority of the funds yourself and the foundation provides the balance.
Dogs Against Drugs
"Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime" (DAD/DAC) National Law Enforcement K-9 Association concentrates on enhancing the law enforcement canine operations in police departments nationwide. The association provides seminars and dog handling instruction to police officers -- including canine officers -- and also offers grant donations to assist in such endeavors. Qualifying law enforcement agencies may receive grants to purchase dogs, training and related equipment and supplies. Police officers or law enforcement supervisors may apply for benefits by completing an online financial assistance form or by downloading the PDF version to complete via email, or to print and send it through the postal service.
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