La Mogán Local Police has taken another step in specializing its services with the addition of a new dog to its K-9 Unit. Her name is Xena, a young Belgian shepherd malinois The six-month-old is already training alongside instructor David Suárez to fully integrate into the operational tasks of the force.
The announcement was made at a public event held in the Pérez Galdós Square in ArguineguínThe City Council also presented the new police vehicles acquired with an investment of approximately €105.000. Local authorities, police commanders, and citizens were able to meet the newest member of the canine unit and see the equipment that will accompany her in her future work.
A Belgian Malinois shepherd to reinforce the K-9 Canine Unit
One of the central themes of the presentation was Xena, a six month old belgian malinois which joins the K-9 Unit of Mogán. The animal is currently in the middle of its training phase. specific training with her guide, Agent David Suárez, with the expectation that she will be ready for service after a training period of between eight and nine months.
The unit already had Ares, another four-year-old Belgian Malinois shepherdAres, who has been in service since the K-9 unit was created at the end of February last year, has also been trained by Suárez and has specialized in drug detection, with operations in parks, gardens, public transport, and other public spaces in the municipality.
As explained during the event, Xena will work in tandem with Ares once she completes her training. The dog was selected for her skills for police workAmong them are their learning ability, physical endurance and their specially developed sense of smell, characteristics of the Belgian Malinois shepherd breed and highly valued in canine security units in Spain and the rest of Europe.
The instructor himself explained that the training is based on play and positive reinforcement, taking advantage of the Belgian Malinois' strong hunting instinct to associate the search for substances with a playful activity. In this way, a high level of motivation and effectiveness in drug detection, even when only a minimal trace of odor remains.
The role of the Belgian Malinois shepherd in municipal security
The Mogán City Council emphasized during the presentation that the Belgian Malinois shepherd has established itself as one of the most common breeds in police forces Europeans for their versatility and speed of responseThese dogs stand out for their agility, their concentration on the task at hand, and their strong bond with the handler, key factors in performances where time and precision are crucial.
In the case of Mogán, the K-9 Canine Unit focuses a good part of its work on the detection of narcotic substances in leisure areas, parks, gardens, and on public transport, as well as in preventative operations. Ares has participated in numerous interventions, and the positive public response to this service has been one of the reasons for reinforcing the unit with Xena.
Local authorities emphasized that the role of the Belgian Malinois in the Mogán K-9 unit is not limited to drug detection. The unit is also useful as a tool for... prevention and deterrent presenceThis contributes to improving the perception of safety in the municipality. The combination of a highly developed sense of smell and great physical capacity allows these animals to cover large areas in a short time and search spaces that are difficult for officers to access.
Furthermore, the bond between handler and dog is crucial for ensuring safe and controlled interventions. The handler lives and trains with the animal daily, enabling them to interpret its body language and react quickly to any indication the dog detects. constant coordination between human and canine It is an essential part of the unit's operation.
A van specifically adapted for the Canine Unit
Alongside the Xena presentation, the Mogán Local Police showcased the new Ford van adapted for the safe transport of K-9 dogsThe vehicle, acquired for just over 14.000 euros and subsequently adapted, reaches a cost close to 25.000 euros after the complete adaptation to the needs of the canine unit and the requirements of the Animal Welfare Law.
The van's interior is divided into two dog kennels and a small office for the handler. Each compartment has a system of independent misting climate control, also known as an evaporative cooler, which uses outside air passed through moistened filters to gradually reduce the temperature and maintain a cooler and less dry environment than conventional air conditioning.
This climate control system is powered by solar panels installed on the vehicle, allowing it to operate even when the engine is off. The temperature can be regulated with a remote control and is typically maintained at around 18 degrees Celsius, depending on outside conditions, thus ensuring comfort. thermal comfort of dogs during transfers or prolonged waits.
The van also incorporates a water tank of approximately 40 liters, with a tap connection, which allows to refresh or clean the animals when necessary. In the office area, a small refrigerator has been installed to keep the dogs' food in good condition, along with various power outlets designed for charging electronic devices or using work equipment during services.
With this specific vehicle, the K-9 Canine Unit of Mogán gains autonomy and safety, as it has a space expressly designed for the transport and rest of the Belgian Malinois shepherds that make up the unit, and at the same time offers the guide a basic working environment for the preparation and management of interventions.
Renewal of the vehicle fleet and reinforcement of the workforce
The addition of the van for the Canine Unit is part of a broader renewal of the vehicle fleet of the Mogán Local Police. At the same event, two 750cc Honda motorcycles and a Dacia Duster hybrid and all-terrain vehicle were presented, all of them intended to improve the operational capacity of the force in a municipality with a dispersed population and large distances between settlements.
The motorcycles, purchased for around 19.000 euros each, represent the first renewal of this type of vehicle in almost two decadesThe acting head of the Local Police highlighted that these motorcycles are especially useful in a very spread-out municipality, where it is necessary to reach remote areas quickly and respond to incidents on roads or in neighborhoods less accessible to conventional cars.
For its part, the Dacia Duster hybrid has been equipped for patrol duties in different terrains, allowing reinforce police presence both in urban areas and in more rural or hard-to-reach environments. With these additions, the force's fleet now numbers around fifteen cars, along with several motorcycles and scooters, with plans to continue adding new vehicles in the coming months.
Municipal authorities explained that this investment, of around 105.000 euros from their own funds, is part of a progressive plan of modernization of the Local PoliceIn addition to the new equipment, the staff is expected to increase with the addition of 14 officers, bringing the total number of personnel to over 60.
The mayor's office insisted that the goal is to gradually complete the complete body renewalThis initiative combines fleet upgrades, reinforcements to the Canine Unit, and improvements to human resources. Emphasis was placed on the commitment to strengthening security and response capabilities in a growing tourist destination.
A growing project for the Mogán Canine Unit
The K-9 Unit of Mogán was established at the end of February last year with the arrival of Ares, the unit's first Belgian Malinois. Since then, the dog has participated in numerous operations, achieving very positive results in drug detection and in control devices in public spaces, which has led to the consolidation of the project and to considering its expansion.
The positive reception from the public has been one of the factors that have driven Xena's inclusion. The presence of the Belgian Malinois in the canine unit has proven to be a an effective and highly rated toolboth in preventative work and in specific interventions. The authorities highlighted the internal work of the administrative and technical staff that made the acquisition of vehicles and the formalization of necessary contracts possible.
During the presentation ceremony, special recognition was given to investigating officer David Suárez for the effort and dedication which requires the training of these animals. Training a Belgian Malinois for police use involves many hours of daily work, both in the technical aspects and in building an emotional bond with the handler, something fundamental for the unit to function as a perfectly coordinated team.
At the close of the presentation, the Mayor and the Acting Chief of the Local Police encouraged the officers to take care of the new equipment and to be proud of the force's progress. The combination of a Canine Unit reinforced with Belgian Malinois shepherdsAn updated vehicle fleet and an expanding workforce put Mogán in a favorable position to continue improving its citizen security services in the coming years.
