๐ฑ๐ป On the 10th and 11th of December, national experts from EUCAB K9 Network gathered in Rฤzekne, Latvia, for a two-day knowledge sharing and team building meeting.
๐ Customs officers from 18 Member States explored the power of a connected network by discussing operational challenges and exchanging experiences and ideas. The importance of networks was underlined by EUCAB Deputy Head and Coordination Unit leader Andrรกs Bartha: โNetwork is tested solution to bring people together and to exchange different perspectives.โ This message was also highlighted by Coordination Unit deputy leader Lauris Krivans: โBehind each strong network stand its committed members.โ
๐ถ In line with EUCABโs mission to favour operational cooperation, practical solutions were presented to expert dog handlers such as a collaboration hub for information sharing and ideas for improvement in the K9 equipment area. Several workshops helped provide deeper insights into current challenges and evolving K9 needs, in areas such as:
โก๏ธ operational challenges including safe detection of fentanyl and new synthetic substances identification;
โก๏ธ new methods of harmonized training and certification;
โก๏ธ detection dog and customs dogs handlers selection…
๐ช๐บ Participants agreed that insight exchange is a meaningful step toward understanding where consistency and support are needed most. Cooperation and shared learning are a key step in building a high-skilled EU customs K9 community and strengthening the K9 unitsโ role in the fight against smuggling practices and securing EU borders.
EUCAB thanks Latvian customs for hosting this important meeting towards an active and collaborative K9 Network.
At the Cynology Centre of the State Revenue Service, experts took part at a demonstration of dog search techniques and obedience work. They gathered insight on Latviaโs canine training and working methods, use of the tailored equipment and samples, while also comparing approaches and reflecting on how daily practices can be improved across Member States.
Source: LinkedIn
