ISP K-9 handler Wade earns 'Master Trainer' accreditation

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

PUTNAMVILLE -- A veteran Indiana State Police trooper has been awarded the prestigious Master Trainer Accreditation from the International Police Work Dog Association of Greenwood.

The IPWDA is an 800-member association that focuses on police canine team improvement and standard certification requirements.

Master Trooper Dennis Wade received his accreditation after passing three written tests, an oral interview, and a unanimous vote from the IPWDA Executive Board.

Many hours of study and preparation are required for a candidate to even be considered for an opportunity to be tested and interviewed for this accreditation. Recipients of the Master Trainer Accreditation must also have been a certified police K-9 handler, be in good standing with the IPWDA, have trained with police work dogs for a minimum of six years and hold the certification of a police work dog trainer for a minimum of three years.

Master Trooper Wade is a 15-year veteran of the Indiana State Police Department and is currently assigned to the ISP Drug Enforcement Section as a criminal interdiction specialist and K-9 trainer.

Wade and his canine partner "Mojo" are responsible for some of the largest seizures in the history of the ISP with more than $2 million in U.S. currency, 100 kilos of cocaine, and 2,000 pounds of marijuana seized.

Master Trooper Wade holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served six years. Wade and his family reside in Hendricks County.

"The recent promotion of Master Trooper Dennis Wade from trainer to master trainer is a giant step within the Indiana State Police K-9 Program and will be most valuable to our department and the citizens of Indiana. It is because of his hard work and dedication that Dennis is the first in the history of ISP to become a K-9 Master Trainer," Sgt. Tony Knox, Indiana State Police K-9 Program coordinator.

The Indiana State Police currently has 32 dual-purpose police work dogs in service and are certified by the International Police Work Dog Association.

The ISP will substantially benefit from Wade's accreditation because the police K-9 training and certification can now be completed "in-house."

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