The Tipp City Police Department Canine Team, consisting of Sgt. Greg Adkins and Gitta has placed in police competition once again.  On 11 June 2012 Gitta competed in the United States Police Canine Association Region 5 K9 Narcotic Trials.  The competition was held in Kettering.  USPCA is a national certifier of police canine narcotic detection teams.

The annual trials consist of canine teams from police departments from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.  Thirty teams from Region 5 police agencies competed and certified in the trials this year with Gitta and Sgt. Adkins placing 3rd overall with 198 points out of a possible 200 attainable.  The K9 team from Lexington, Ky. Finished 1st and the Kettering team finished 2nd.  There was only .83 percentage points separating the top finishers. 

Gitta placed 3rd in vehicle searches with a score of 98.33 out of 100.  The 1st place team finished with an even 99 points.  Ms. Gitta also placed 3rd in indoor building searches with a score of 99.67 out of 100 with the 1st place team finishing with a perfect 100.

Sgt. Adkins said the deducted points against Gitta were actually from “handler” error and not canine error.  Having worked with Sgt. Adkins and Gitta so much, I know they are an exceptional team and trust them very much.  It is a team effort, including training, trust, experience and the assistance of Dr. Martin English, DVM who is Gitta’s doctor. 

If you get a chance to see Sgt. Adkins and Gitta on the road or at a demonstration, give them your heartfelt congratulations and she will let you pet her, with permission of course.