The k9 unit...................

Question

All my life I wanted to help and work with animals, until a few years back my mom got a job working at our domestic violence shelter. She started helping people. I know want a career helping people. I know that becoming a homicide investigator you have to work your way up and there are no guarentees. my questions are

Is there any kind of investigator that handles not only murders, but other things too? will that be a regular investigator?

Can you get promoted up to that position, if you are working the k9 unit?

What does it take to become a k9 unit? Is it more than just going to the academy? thank you

Answer 1

Each department has it's own prerequisites for the K-9 unit, and promotion from that unit to homicide is possible, a friend of mine did it many years ago in the Boston Police Department.

Answer 2

Depending on the size of the department, Investigators/Detectives/Constables may be assigned to one branch (Homicide/Burglary/Organized Crime etc) or may be assigned cases.

Unless you are part of the FBI/Secret Service/Scotland Yard/RCMP you normally have to work your way up the uniformed ranks to become an Investigator.

Can you get to be an investigator while being a K9 Officer? If you meet the qualifications that are needed yes.

To be a K9 officer, there is additional training that you must go through, such as K9 Academy.  This is where you are normally introduced to your new partner and you learn how to work with them. Each department has its own Academy or Training Site that they send their officers to for K9 Officer training.