K9 Challenge Coins Celebrate Dedication & Loyalty
Recognizing the contributions of police K9 officers and their handlers
Police officers are some of the most unsung heroes of our communities. All police officers put their lives on the line every day for the safety of their fellow citizens.. Police dog are no exceptions. Police dogs are a mainstay of law enforcement departments in the United States and around the world.
Police “K9” (phonetic shorthand for “canine”) units often specialize in detection, protection, and search and rescue. Their role gives them a unique bond with their handlers. Just as with human police officers, it’s appropriate to recognize and honor their roles and achievements with custom challenge coins.
A Brief History of K9 Units
Dogs have long been recognized for their senses of smell and hearing, both of which far exceed human capabilities. Through training, they can be taught to use their senses to help police prevent and detect crime, and to apprehend suspects.
The first recorded use of police dogs occurred in France in the 1300s. Dogs were used to guard piers and docks. Beyond that basic act of protection, dogs were valued in Europe for their tracking abilities. Police in Europe, primarily in Belgium and then Germany, began training dogs for police work by the end of the 19th century.
American police departments didn’t have significant success with dog programs until the 1950s, when the Baltimore Police Department implemented a successful training program. By the 1970s, K9 officers became common throughout the United States. According to one estimate, about 50,000 police dogs are actively working today in the U.S.
K9 Officer Breeds
While multiple dog breeds are used for police work, the most common breeds to be trained include German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers and Bloodhounds.
Other breeds, including Beagles, Basset Hounds and even Chihuahuas have been trained for special purposes such as detecting airport contraband. It all depends on the purpose the dog is needed for. Smaller breeds can effectively work as detection dogs, while the larger breeds are more effective for tracking and apprehension work.
Training
Training a dog to be a K9 officer is really a two-part process – training both the dog and handler. In the field, they’ll function as a unit, so both need to be trained in how to respond to the other. They form a lifelong bond between just the two of them. The result is that dogs who retire from the force usually become beloved family pets for the handler’s family.
The dogs must be taught to respond to many specific commands. It’s common for handlers to command their dogs in a foreign language, often German or Dutch. That gives the handler a unique ability to control the dog, and prevents suspects and others from being able to command the animal inappropriately.
K9 units have many specialized functions. Working as a team, police dogs and their handlers train for purposes as diverse as suspect apprehension, drug, contraband or explosives detection, tracking suspects and more.
Challenge Coins for K9 Officers
Both K9 handlers and their dogs deserve their own special recognition. K9 challenge coins celebrate and commemorate the impressive animals working with fellow officers to keep citizens safe. K9 units are dedicated and loyal, showcasing the highest level of merit.
The unique role and special skills of K9 units are a great inspiration for challenge coins. Add elements that represent that special bond and the unit's pride in public safety.
Honor and Acknowledgement
Challenge coins are an excellent way to recognize, celebrate and honor both human and dog members of the K9 team. You can present coins to handlers and dogs for outstanding performance in specific cases, to honor bravery under fire, or to commemorate years of service or retirements.
K9 challenge coins are also an excellent tool for community outreach and building camaraderie. Each unit has its own insignia with unique elements. The details, including emblems, badges, dates, and details such as paw prints or teeth, are all perfect for K9 challenge coins.
Memorials
Many departments choose to have coins made to memorialize specific K9 officers who have passed on, whether in the line of duty or in retirement. Such coins are a meaningful way to celebrate the life of a devoted fellow officer.
Fundraising with K9 Challenge Coins
Custom coins also can be a highly effective fundraising tool. Your department can sell them to raise funds to support K9 training or ongoing unit needs. It’s a simple fact that many people love dogs, and are willing to support their local police department in general. Combine the two and you have a surefire fundraising tool that can raise significant money fast.
K9 challenge coins are also an excellent tool for community outreach and building camaraderie. Each unit has its own insignia with unique elements. The details, including emblems, badges, dates, and details such as paw prints or teeth, are all perfect for K9 challenge coins.
Design Factors
The purpose of the coin will influence the design of your K9 Officer coins. For example, commemorative coins will include different details than coins used for fundraising.
Commemorative coins may include images of specific dogs, meaningful dates, significant case details and other related information. Fundraising coins are more likely to feature elements that instill pride and the unit’s role in the community.
Honoring Both Dogs and Handlers
Challenge coins hold a special meaning to police officers. K9 challenge coins are a thoughtful way to honor and commemorate both the dogs and their handlers for their bravery, dedication and selfless actions.
Want to find out more about K9 Unit coins or other kinds of custom challenge coins? Call us toll free at (855) 272-8451, or email us. We’re more than happy to answer any questions you might have about all forms of challenge coins. If you already have a coin design in mind, fill out our no obligation free quote form, and we’ll send you a free digital proof of your proposed coin design. We’re here to serve all your custom police challenge coin needs. Let us show you how fast and easy ordering custom K9 Challenge Coins can be!
