Training Scenario for Police Dog Handlers

Training objectives

The main goal of this training was to increase the number of operational police and border-guard dogs capable of detecting illegal goods at border crossings. Handlers and their dogs were trained to work effectively inside large crowds of people, locating specific restricted items and also recognising the distinctive scent that people give off when under stress or when nervous.

Training Scenario for Police Dog Handlers

The entire practical part of the training took place outdoors on a large open field roughly the size of a football pitch. After a short theoretical introduction, the handlers worked with large groups of volunteers acting as “travellers”.

The lead trainer did not speak English, while all the dog handlers communicated in English.

This language barrier made continuous, high-quality simultaneous interpreting essential.

Training environment

Several practical difficulties had to be solved:

The training area was very large - approximately the size of a football pitch.
We needed radio equipment with sufficient range so that every handler could clearly hear the trainer no matter where they were on the field.
People and dogs were constantly moving. The equipment had to remain responsive and deliver the simultaneous interpretation with clear audio despite continuous motion.
The day was split into two intensive three-hour sessions, so we worked with two interpreters who alternated to maintain consistent quality.

Challenges we faced

We used Okayo WaveTalk portable tour-guide systems. Because these are digital radio systems with line of sight connectivity of up to 150 meters. The interpretation remained clearly audible across the entire field with good communication between the transmitter and the receivers.

Handlers could move freely with their dogs, turn their backs to the trainer, or work behind obstacles, and the audio remained stable and clear at all times.

How we solved it

Despite the demanding conditions the training ran smoothly:

Every dog handler had uninterrupted access to the trainer’s instructions throughout both sessions.
Even with participants walking across the full size of the field and dogs moving freely, there were no drop-outs or communication problems.

This assignment confirmed the choice of properly selected mobile simultaneous interpreting systems. It proved that the WaveTalk system can support highly specialised outdoor training even when the working environment is large, constantly changing, and does not allow direct line of sight.

However, if we did get a request from the dog handlers that we implmented in the next training sessions. The handlers needed to be able to communicate with the trainer. So for the next training sessions we used a two way comms system that allowed the dog handlers to communicaate with an interpreter and between themselves - which reduced the time required for a dog hander to run across the field to the trainer to ask for clarification on information or instructions received. We used a mix of the Okayo FreeCom and Okayo WaveTalk systems.

If you are organising similar field training for security, border or police units and need reliable mobile interpreting, feel free to contact us.

We will help you choose the right equipment and interpreter team.