Clayton Police Department members are always training to be the best. But what about the four-legged officers?
K9 officers need constant training too – and they have annual certifications just like their human partners. At the regional USPCA K9-certification held recently at East Clayton Community Park in Clayton, dozens of police dogs were tested on agility, obedience, protection (bite work), on how well they can find people hiding and how well they can find articles like drugs or weapons.
Now, thanks to 17-year-old Thomas Culpepper, police K9’s Major and Abel can now train all year long on this custom obstacle course he built.
The Clayton High School senior was looking for something meaningful and impactful for the community to take on for his Eagle Scout project.
He worked with Chief Wayne Bridges and K9 Officers Justin Vause and Jamie Brantley, consulted with the national K9 handlers association, was guided by his Clayton High School engineering teacher, Bill Evans. He and his scouts worked more than 300 hours to complete this project.
Thomas couldn’t have done it without his fellow scouts of Troup 124 sponsored by Horne Memorial United Methodist Church and generous community businesses -Guy C Lee Building Materials who gave him all the lumber at cost, Hudson’s Hardware who donated all the hardware like nails, screws and bolts, Lowe’s Home Improvement who donated all the paint and the Horne Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s group who made a large donation to help with costs.
The Town of Clayton K9 unit is one of the most valuable tools of the Police Department – sniffing out drugs, helping apprehend suspects and are arguably one of the most powerful community engagement tools to show people how approachable police officers are.
Congratulations Thomas on earning the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. And thank you for helping to ensure Major & Abel are always training and having a little fun. Courtesy The Town of Clayton
