K9 officer By : Katlyn walker

Job description Canine officers are police officers who work with specially trained detector dogs, usually to detect illegal narcotics, concealed humans, smuggled agricultural products and other contraband.

Pay scale Canine officers and detective officers hold more than 860,000 jobs, with nearly 80% of positions with local government. New job openings for police officers and detectives are predicted to rise by 11% between , with detectives and investigator positions increasing by 17%. Earnings for canine officers range from $55,000 to $96,000 a year.

Skills you will need to obtain skills both as a police officer and as a specialized dog handler to become a canine officer.

Degrees you need to become a K9 officer. Obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most law enforcement agencies require at least a high school diploma and some even require or prefer some college education like an Associate or Bachelor’s degree.