Constable Reginald Sahay and Zod having some fun with the crowd during the criminal apprehension segment. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

The public day of the 3-day K9 Canadian Police Canine Association championships was a huge hit at the Apple Bowl on Sunday. Teams from across Canada from various law enforcement agencies competed in the event including teams from Kelowna.

Sahay who has been stationed in Kelowna for the past 3 years, worked for nearly six years as an apprentice before becoming a full fledged dog handler. Of the 20,000 members in the RCMP across Canada, there is only 130 K9 handlers, making it a very competitive position.

Criminal apprehension is a crowd favourite. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

The dogs live with their handlers and members in the program typically raise pups during their apprenticeship

Kelowna currently has four K9 units in service and members are on call all the way from Revelstoke to Osoyoos. Two of the K9 dogs are explosive specialists and the other two are drug specialists. Because Zod is an explosive specialist, Sahay can be called all the way to Grand Forks. There are two other dog handlers in Penticton and three in Vernon. Generally, the K9 units support the general police officers, but they remain clear for special calls for incidents such as a suspect with firearms or search and rescue.

A dog navigating one of the obstacles in the agility course. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

The dogs were tested Sunday on criminal apprehension, agility, and obedience. According to the officers, the events were more about comradery than competition. "It's a good chance to share knowledge and share stories in regards to what's kept us safe at certain calls," said Sahay. Because the conditions of a structured competition are so different from the day-to-day conditions, the competition was taken pretty lightly.

Auxiliary members who assisted at the event. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

These trials and other similar events are an opportunity for the public to see a little of what the police dogs are capable of. According to Canadian Police Canine Association President Steve Kaye, the dogs are crucial to police work and unmatched by any other method of investigation. "“It's a pretty unique tool in that [the dogs are] the only living, breathing creature (outside of horses) that law enforcement uses as an investigative aid. They provide a service that we can't duplicate with an instrument or machine.”

K9 units came from across Canada to compete and exchange knowledge in the 3 day event including Jester and his handler Jack who are stationed in Calgary. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Click here to see close to 100 pictures from the event.