Welcome to the official homepage of the State Police of Vaud, K-9 Unit !
Here are some informations about us and our country.
Our country is famous for it's lovely mountains covered of white snow, pretty lakes, delicious chocolate or cheese. But Switzerland, with only 7.5 millions citizens, is also known for its very strategic location in central Europe. Also because Switzerland is not a country member of the European Union. It's an independant Country. For these reasons, Switzerland is really attractive and is the siege of number of International Organizations, as U.N., C.I.O, F.I.F.A., U.N.E.S.C.O and also of number of International firms as Nestle or Novartis.
By its location and its neutrality, Switzerland does not only attract many tourists, but unfortunately also many doubtful organizations and people. Switzerland is also attractive for number of criminals coming of eastern Europe or France who come in our country to commit burglaries.
Switzerland is share of 23 states. Each state has its own State Police. The State Police is the surpreme authority. City Police Forces have only limited skills and are dependant of the State Police. In a number of citizens, Vaud is the third more populated state of the country. And it's the fourth largest state in surface.
In the State of Vaud, the State Police has two main divisions: "La Surêté" where investigators work undecover on criminal investigations and "La Gendarmerie" where uniformed officers respond to emergencies and patrol all over the State 24/24h.
The Headquarters of the State Police are located in Lausanne. In the HQ are the general staff of the State Police, the Specials Units, the communication and transmission center where 117 emergencies calls succeed from all the state, and the Police Regional Center of the Gendarmerie, Area of Lausanne (see Gendarmerie down).
Founded on June 4th, 1803, its mission is to watch, to warn and to respon 117 calls 24 hours on the whole territory of Vaud, in domains so varied as the police of traffic (accident report, speedings, traffic incidents), the police of the navigation (lakes and river) and the police of order (first response to 117 calls and pro active ppolice actions) and also maintain or restore the calm and order during demonstration or riots.
According to these missions, in particular the obligation to respond 117 calls quickly 24 hours, and of the relative extent of the State of Vaud, a decentralization of the units is the answer to a fast service of quality and nearness. The State is divided into four areas, Lausanne Area (central), the West Area, the East Area and the North Area. In the heart of these four sectors, is an Area Police center (CIR), in which are based five mobile units (Reponse Units - UI). They assure the interventions 24 hours in their area, proceed to accident reportings or judicial of their competence and act so as to prevent troubles and offences.
Actually, there are 615 officers on duty in the Gendarmerie of Vaud.
To be more sharp, the State Police has chosen to create a K-9 Unit composed by specialists. That means all K-9 teams of the State Police are now centralized in a Squad, which is based in the State Police HQ, in Lausanne. K-9 team are now specialists and work only on K-9 missions. The K-9 Unit depends of the Special Units, like the SWAT. Actually, they are 14 officers with their partners in the Squad. The Chief, adjudant Neuenschwander, depends of the captain Rapaz, chief of Special Units.
The State Police Canine Unit is a uniform support service which offers tactical support to the Department by utilizing an effective law enforcement tool. The goal of the K-9 Unit is to enhance the mission of the Department proactively and reactively in crime prevention, detection, criminal apprehension and officer safety.
The K-9 Unit provides assistance in several critical areas including :officer protection, searching for suspects or lost persons, drug and explosive detection and as a psychological deterrent to suspect aggression.
Five teams of two K-9 handlers are composed for one year. By rotation, they keep a presence and patrol 24h/24 on the whole State's territory.
When not requested, the teams patrol across the State and take time to train their animals.
