avoiding the
anti-tactic
Is the term tactical just a buzzword, or do you walk the walk?
BY RON GUNTON
PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY OF ACEK9.COM
ECENTLY I WAS ONE OF numerous K- 9 officers in
northeast Ohio who learned that a Summit
Following the developments of this local trial made
me think long and hard about how I work the street
and how I prepare for it. I consider myself fortunate to
be in a position that allows me to travel and to meet
and train with K- 9 handlers all across the United States.
Many of them impress me with their approach to the
job and how they carry out their duties as K- 9 officers.
Unfortunately, there also are far too many who I really
worry about when they leave my venue. “Far too
many,” to me, is defined as one or more. This article
examines the real meaning of the term tactical and
discusses how we implement it — or not — in our work.
County jury had convicted Ashford Thompson of the
murder of a fellow K- 9 officer: Twinsburg Officer
Joshua Miktarian. Thompson has been sentenced to die
for his crime. I had met Josh on several occasions and
found him to be a likable man. He was a family guy
and left behind a wife and a 3-month-old daughter
who has eyes like his. Josh was killed on a traffic stop
he conducted for a loud-music violation. Thompson
shot Josh once in the head, then stood over him and
fired three more shots into his head as Josh lay on the
ground defenseless while his K- 9 watched, unable to
assist his partner from his secured car. Thompson had
no criminal record and had a concealed carry permit.
On paper, he was not a cop-killer.
Ask More of Yourself
In my capacity as a trainer, I feel compelled and obli-
gated to help every K- 9 team I work with to reach its
fullest potential. Many times, my input is well received
by open-minded individuals. Unfortunately, there also
are times when I feel blown off in my attempt to help
someone. I experienced that recently while instructing
at a large workshop. I was working the building-search
venue, which is my favorite area of discipline because it
is a good blend of control, tactics, scent work, and
aggression/control. Call it the “K- 9 Quadfecta.”
Numerous teams came to this venue to certify their
dogs. I was alarmed and astonished at some of the
teams’ lack of proficiency.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
