From 18 to 21 September 2024, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) has organized a three-day training for staff members of the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) on alternative methods for effective K9 operations in prisons.

K9 are specially trained dogs who assist law enforcement agencies and are deployed all around the world. Among their various roles, K9 units assist prison officials in combating substance abuse and smuggling.

The training was organized by the EULEX Correctional Unit, and it included: a one-day presentation conducted by an international K9 expert on the different methodologies used in prisons in different countries to fight the substance abuse and searching for contraband items by using K9 teams; two days of practical sessions and exchange of best practices at the Dubrava Correctional Centre, focusing mostly on treatment, training and conduct of search operations in correctional facilities.

The advices of the experts were highly appreciated and immediately implemented.

The training was part of a EULEX’s small-scale project, and the Mission stands ready to support the KCS in any further plans to develop its K9 unit.

Watch our K9 friends in action: