BROOKSVILLE — K9 tracking teams from 10 Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) correctional institutions gathered from across Central and South Florida to exhibit their superior tracking abilities in Brooksville, Florida.

The training included various day and night events focused on tracking human scent, conditioning for rough terrain, and distance progression for K9 tracking teams. The rigorous training of officers and their K9 partners allows the institutional teams to remain valuable assets to local law enforcement and help keep their local communities safe.

"I am immensely proud of our K9 teams and their hard work behind the scenes in preparing to assist emergency calls in our communities,” said Florida Department of Corrections Region IV Director of Institutions Jose Colon. "Our officers' dedication and commitment to crafting their skills correlates to real lives saved in the community."

FDC prioritizes public safety. The K9 tracking teams are tasked with pursuing escaped inmates; however, such instances have become infrequent in modern times. As a result, these teams are often deployed within communities to aid local law enforcement in capturing dangerous fugitives and finding missing children and vulnerable adults. Since January 2023, FDC’s K9 tracking teams across the state have responded to more than 900 calls to assist with apprehensions or located missing and vulnerable persons.

Congratulations to the following K9 tracking teams for their placement:

First place  went to Okeechobee Correctional Institution; Second place       to  Hardee Correctional Institution, and third place to Polk Correctional Institution.