l Educating the Public

EDUCATING the PUBLIC

K9 officers show off skills at WestWorld

By Doyoon Kim

The Belgian Malinois crouches to assess the danger he faces, ready to pound if needed.

(Arizona Law Enforcement K9 Association/Submitted)

The Arizona Law Enforcement K9 Association will continue its work educating the public with the Desert Dog Police K9 Trials and Public Safety Expo.

It is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 22, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 23, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale.

Visitors will witness K9s and their handlers running through on-field obstacles that replicate real-world scenarios experienced in active police duty. The event will feature more than 70 law enforcement K9 teams from around the country competing.

The K9 teams will tackle tactical challenges and handler protection obstacles, including 7-foot barriers for jumping, calloffs and extractions. Trophies will be given to the first-, second- and third-place teams.

In addition, there will be more than 100 vendors at the safety expo featuring police, SWAT, detectives, fire vehicles, helicopters, search and rescue boats, rescue equipment, specialized police and guard equipment, and food and shopping options. The public can interact with the officers. Benefactors of the event include Circle K, Penske and various local pet businesses.

ALECA is a public safety nonprofit

organization of law enforcement handlers and trainers who work to help police service dogs in preventing and detecting crime, to assist law enforcement agencies in implementing police service dogs in their practices, and to educate the public about the work police service dogs do in law enforcement. “We rely on donations to keep our cause going,” says Tony Sanborn, a Scottsdale police officer and ALECA vice president. “I think we have one of the most noble causes: to make law enforcement and police officers better. We help officers achieve their mission of keeping the public safe.” Caption This is the 19th year of the Desert Dog Trials and Public Safety Expo. During the first few years, the expo was hosted at a local

A man and his dog. In this case, a law enforcement officer and his four-legged partner give new meaning to the classic phrase.

Highly trained and skilled to sniff, jump, bite and act on command whenever the bad guys are on the attack is what these public safety K9s are trained to do.

(Arizona Law Enforcement K9 Association/Submitted) high school, where it was very well received. Th e event continued to grow.

“We tried promoting it, and it continued growing every year. We moved to Scottsdale Stadium and hosted it on the baseball fi eld,” Sanborn says.

“We wanted to share more about the work we do, and the public wanted to know more about the police and what equipment they use. We outgrew our space, and during the last two years we’ve hosted our event at WestWorld.”

Two years ago, ALECA could not hold the expo for the fi rst time in 10 years due to the coronavirus pandemic. ALECA had to shift to an online platform to keep the organization running.

In April 2021, the organization was able to host the expo again in person with precautions being taken. Th is year, the event will be held in person and open to the public.

“Th e offi cers have stayed the same, and our community has stayed pretty tight knit,” Sanborn says. “We continue to share training ideas and training philosophies and keep track with all of our K9 units throughout the state.”

When asked about the future of ALECA, Sanborn responded, “We’re excited for ALECA. Th e executive board has current law enforcement and retired law enforcement offi cers, so we have a real personal connection. We hope to make our event bigger and better. … We want to make this the biggest public safety expo in the country.”

Desert Dog Police K9 Trials & Public Safety Expo

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 22, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 23 WHERE: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale COST: $5; free for those 12 and younger INFO: alecapolicek9.com

PLEASE JOIN US!

NOVEMBER 10-12TH

“JULY” 24” x 24” BY SIGNATURE ARTIST DOUGLAS FRYER SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL

ANNUAL FINE ARTS FUNDRAISER

This year’s online Silent Auction, November 10-12, 2022 will showcase the works of well-known professional artists, including Signature Artist Douglas Fryer as well as a variety of featured travel packages and themed baskets. Participants will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for the sculpture “Midnight at the Oasis” by Signature Sculptor Sandy Scott. We also invite you to attend our in-person event on Saturday, November 12 starting at 6 pm. All bidding is online whether attending our in-person party or joining virtually.

Scan to participate in the auction:

Learn more: scottsdaleartschool.org 800.333.5707 • 480.990.1422