PDRM's K9 Unit takes center stage at the 2023 Selangor Merdeka Ride and Carnival

SHAH ALAM: The PDRM Selangor Merdeka Ride and Carnival 2023 programme held at Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday showcased the well-trained and highly skilled PDRM K9 Unit.

Officers from the PDRM K9 Unit were seen alongside seven highly trained K9 dogs, greeting the visitors during the carnival here.

Visitors were enthusiastic to learn more about the stunning and amazing K9 dogs that have made significant contributions to the country.

Speaking to Sinar Daily, Corporal Addison Vincent, a member of the PDRM K9 Unit, mentioned that the unit is involved in a variety of crime cases. Each case has its own different angles that the PDRM K9 Unit needs to identify and assist with.

"The assistance of the PDRM K9 Unit is typically required when the investigation officer or senior officer of that particular case calls for help," he explained.

"For example, in homicide cases, the K9 Unit assists in locating the items used in the murder or finding the corpses. In burglary or robbery cases, we attempt to locate the suspects. And in cases where the suspect has fled into the woods, we assist in locating the suspect's trail using our well-trained and highly skilled K9 dogs," he elaborated.

Addison also mentioned that most of the time, the unit’s assistance is necessary when specific challenges in the case limit a person's capabilities.

The unique characteristics and abilities of the K9 dogs, such as their strong sense of smell and hearing, are required and can assist in the investigation, he added.

"If utilising the K9 Unit's assistance can significantly expedite the investigation.

"When we are summoned to assist with the case, it enhances the investigation's effectiveness and efficiency.

"The PDRM K9 Unit is a technical support unit, and we do our best to assist with the investigation," he added.

Addison also explained the process and duration of training K9 dogs for the unit.

"Usually, our officers and the K9 dogs go to the Malaysian Police Training Centre (Pulapol) and receive training from PDRM-certified coaches.

"It takes around four months to train one K9 dog before they are eligible for enrollment in the PDRM K9 Unit.

"Once the training is completed, we (the officers and the K9 dogs) return to our contingents. We repeat the training procedure in our different contingents," Addison stated.

He highlighted the reason behind continuous training: K9 dogs require substantial training to perform at their best.

"They have been properly and thoroughly trained, but we must continue their regular training.

"All of the K9 dogs in our unit are well trained and always up to the task of assisting with any investigation," he said.

The unit performed in front of the Raja Muda Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafudin Idris Shah, and the spectators at the carnival in Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday, demonstrating the sharpness and quickness of the K9 dogs in detecting alarming dangers or objects.