For one Snellville police K-9 sergeant, this workshop is not about testing his dog – it’s about testing himself.
Sgt. Will Collins completed a three-year process culminating in his achieving national accreditation as a trainer of narcotic detection dogs. During this process, Collins spent many hours obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to train both drug detection dogs and new K-9 handlers. Master trainers tested Collins on these skills and critiqued him throughout the process as he successfully completed each task.
“We are very proud of Will and his accomplishment. His hard work and many sacrifices allowed him to achieve this significant goal and recognition,” said Snellville Police Department Chief Roy Whitehead. “Not only has Will received this impressive designation and certification, but he joins Snellville Police Department K-9 Unit Commander Lt. David Matson, as a nationally accredited trainer of narcotic detection dogs through NAPWDA.”
With more than 3,400 NAPWDA members, Collins joins a small group of 30 nationally accredited trainers, only 18 of whom are accredited in narcotics detection. Collins and Matson are the only two in the state of Georgia.
The NAPWDA is a nationally recognized organization that sets the industry standard for police K-9s in the U.S. Formed in 1977, NAPWDA is dedicated to the development, improvement, training and certification of police K-9s and has been recognized at both the state and federal level for its stringent certification and accreditation standards.
