Mount Vernon Optic-Herald

Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brad Wardrup has a new partner, Aja, a Belgium Malinois. The K-9 team just completed their joint training.
The team completed a two week extensive training for narcotics detection at K-9 Concepts in Broussard, La. under the tutelage of Jack and Sherry Robicheaux. The team is certified by the school for the 80 hour course, and by the National Police K9 Association. They are certified in the detection of both marijuana and cocaine. They are soon to complete certification in the detection of methamphetamine, according to Deputy Wardrup.
Aja is a three year-old Belgian bred Malinois. She has completed 16 weeks of continuing education training, including that with previous handlers. She was trained for a full year before receiving her first commission as a K-9 partner. For more details, see the April 22 edition of the Optic-Herald.