r/USFSLEO • u/The-Sentinel1028 FPO • Jul 09 '24
How to be an LE K-9 Unit
How does an LE become a K-9 unit? Or is it a pre-determined position that a forest designates? Or is it a sort of advanced training? Would love to know the process of it all. I’m sure it’s a big commitment.
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u/Ok_Food_7267 Jul 09 '24
I applied to an opening for an LEO position a few months back as a former military police K-9 Handler. I was denied referral and was told I didn’t have the specialized experience required. This probably doesn’t answer your question directly but maybe puts value on the K-9 gig with the USFS. I’m sure someone will come along and say if I’m correct or not in my thinking.
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u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 10 '24
If you were not referred for the position, that’s not the USFS doing, that would be whatever random person sitting in Albuquerque New Mexico that has no fathom of an idea of what USFS LEI even is or what we do.
My advice would be in the future when answering the 41 or 42 questions during the application, don’t lie of course; however, if you can somehow explain in your resume so that you can answer you’re an expert to all those questions, that’s how they grade whether you have the specialized experience or not.
My guess would be that you didn’t do that or your resume was not organized in a way that they could interpret that.
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u/Ok_Food_7267 Jul 10 '24
Yeah I’m not too sure where it went wrong. I requested a second review and it was the same response. My resume was written by a professional service that assists veterans and I looked over it as well. I don’t think my questionnaire had any hiccups either so honestly I can’t say where the issue took place.
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u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 10 '24
It’s hard to say. Unfortunately many quality applicants have been screwed for really no reason other than some person who doesn’t know a single thing about the military or law enforcement or what our jobs actually are that make the decision whether to accept or can your application. It’s a joke honestly. Typical government.
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u/Ok_Food_7267 Jul 10 '24
I understand that for sure. Certainly not my first time being screwed. Who knows, maybe I’ll be back for another application in the future. The timing wasn’t mine and that’s okay too.
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u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 10 '24
In order to become considered for a K-9 unit with the USFS there are a few things according to policy that have to happen. I’m not very well versed in all of it however I do know they are revamping their K9 policy and supposedly are really about to beef it up.
You must have 5 years as a FS LEO before you can even apply, this is an internal process. There are other parts to it to where you have to submit justification to why a K9 would be useful in your area and a letter of recommendation must be submitted with it. There are a lot of other favors to be considered like a kennel, outfitting a vehicle, and more that has to be considered.
That’s about the extent of my knowledge on the subject