Congratulations to #ChattPD team of Ofc. Timmons & #K9 Burt for earning Top Dog award at #USPCA Region 22 Spring Trials. pic.twitter.com/FUAs1kQ6K1
— Chattanooga Police (@ChattanoogaPD) April 18, 2019
#ChattPD & Whitfield Co SO earned 2 of 3 top awards at #USPCA Region 22 Spring Trials. CPD Ofc. Timmons & #K9 Burt w/ Overall Top Dog & WCSO Dep. Thompson & K9 w/ Top Narcotics Detection. Both teams train under CPD Head Trainer Ofc. Vrandenburg. Congratulations to all! pic.twitter.com/nyPSTQYK3W
— Chattanooga Police (@ChattanoogaPD) April 18, 2019
Chattanooga police officer Lucas Timmons and K-9 Burt earned the Overall Top Dog award at the United States Police Canine Association's Region 22 Field Trials, the department tweeted Thursday.
Whitfield County, Georgia, sheriff's deputy Todd Thompson and his K-9 Eddy earned the top award for narcotics detection, the tweet states. Both teams train under the Chattanooga Police Department's head trainer, Officer Barry Vrandenburg.
This year's spring trials were held at Finley Stadium this week, and the dogs and their handlers from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama showed off their skills in order to certify for another year of work.
They competed in general patrol dog and narcotic detection categories that tested the dogs' training, behavior and obedience.
In the criminal apprehension competition, dogs and their handlers were evaluated across multiple criteria that included their efficient response to handler commands and the technique of their takedown of a simulated suspect.
"Overall Top Dog" means Officer Timmons and K-9 Burt earned the most points in both patrol dog and narcotics detection categories.
All four Chattanooga police teams earned their certifications.