In Arona, in southern Tenerife, the presence of police dogs and specialized canine units It has become a key element in strengthening public safety. What a few years ago seemed almost unusual in a tourist town is now a well-established reality, with highly trained teams, specialized vehicles, and a very clear strategy against drug dealing and other criminal activity.
In addition to the creation of the Police Prevention Canine Unit (UCPP), the City Council has taken a further step by equipping the Local Police with New adapted vehicles, including a van designed for the safe transport of police dogsAll of this is part of a political and technical commitment to a more accessible, preventative, and visible street security model, with special attention to sensitive environments such as schools, squares, and leisure spaces.
Origin and objectives of the Arona Police Prevention Canine Unit
The Arona Police Prevention Canine Unit, known as UCPP, was created as the municipality's first canine unitDesigned to intensify control of street-level drug dealing and other illicit activities in public spaces, its creation responds to the need for more effective action in sensitive areas where small-scale drug trafficking can escalate into larger problems of public order and insecurity.
The main objective of this unit is to reinforce the police presence outside of Schools, squares, problematic sales areas, leisure areas and bus stationsIn these areas, street-level drug dealing might go unnoticed by the average citizen, but not by the trained nose of a police dog and the experience of its handler. The UCPP thus allows for a shift from general surveillance to a much more targeted and specialized approach.
From the outset, it has been proposed that the UCPP function as independent unit, operational at all timesThis means that the dogs and their handlers are not limited to occasional services or exhibitions, but are integrated into daily police work, supporting checkpoints, preventive patrols, and special operations throughout the municipality.
The UCPP started in a trial phase with just one dog, Dana, but with a very clear idea: to grow progressively and move closer to the model of other established canine units in the Canary Islandssuch as those in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The initial limitation is not due to a lack of will, but because training a handler-dog team requires time, discipline, and very strict training protocols.
In this context, the Arona City Council understands the UCPP as a medium and long-term project, in which the following will be combined practical experience, collaboration with other local police forces, and the support of veteran canine units to expand resources, specialties and operational capacity.
Official presentation, demonstrations, and support from other canine units
The official launch of the Arona Police Prevention Canine Unit was held at the Dionisio González municipal football field in El FraileThe venue, a well-known facility in the area with ample capacity to host an event of this nature, was not merely an institutional presentation. It was an event designed for the public, featuring practical demonstrations and participation from various canine units in the Canary Islands.
The event was attended and featured the participation and collaboration of the canine units of UNIPOL (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), URSI (La Laguna) and UCAPOL (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)Each of them contributed dogs, handlers and commanders, who joined in a joint exhibition before schoolchildren, neighbors, representatives of local associations and members of other security forces such as the Civil Guard and the National Police.
Throughout the day, different exercises were carried out to demonstrate How police dogs are trained and how they work in real-life scenariosDemonstrations were given of substance detection on stationary and moving people, as well as on packages and other items. This practical component was key for the public to understand that the work of these animals is based on very specific routines, safety protocols, and a very close bond with their handlers.
The exhibition also had a clear educational component. One of its objectives was to break with widespread myths about police dog trainingsuch as the false belief that they are given drugs to learn to detect them. Unit leaders insisted that the dogs never consume substances, but are instead taught to associate certain smells with a game or reward, taking advantage of their extraordinary natural sense of smell.
For many schoolchildren and local residents, it was the first time they had seen up close how a dog is capable of to accurately detect the presence of illegal substanceseven when the person is moving or the object is hidden. This direct experience helped build trust in the work of the UCPP, as citizens now see police dogs as allies in the municipality's security.
The canine protagonists: Dana, Tao, Drago, Anker, Laika, Fontán and Nublo
The first member of the UCPP in Arona is Dana, a Belgian Malinois Shepherd about 17 months At the time of her presentation, she was a highly valued breed in police and military units for her energy, intelligence, concentration, and tremendous work ethic. During the official ceremony, Dana demonstrated her training in static detection and advanced obedience.
Advanced obedience, which to many may seem like a simple aesthetic exercise, is actually the foundation for a dog to be able to working safely in complex and stimulating environmentssuch as large events, street operations, or searches in confined spaces. The dog's instant response to the handler's commands ensures the safety of both the dog itself and the officers and citizens.
Dana's presentation was supported by other invited police dogs. Representatives from UNIPOL in Santa Cruz de Tenerife attended. Tao, a Belgian Malinois shepherd, and Drago, a Labrador retrieverBoth are still very young, at just 8 and 10 months old. Although they are in the training phase, their presence underscores the generational shift and the commitment to forming new dog teams from an early age.
The URSI of San Cristóbal de La Laguna presented itself with Anker and Laika, also Belgian Malinois shepherdsThey performed exercises detecting substances on people in motion. This type of demonstration is especially spectacular, as the dog must be able to discriminate odors on the move, in a changing environment, and indicate the scent to the handler without losing focus.
The following participated on behalf of UCAPOL of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Fontán, another Belgian Malinois shepherd, and Nublo, a Jack Russell TerrierIn their case, they focused on a parcel detection demonstration. This work is highly relevant in contexts such as stations, freight dispatch points, or specific checkpoints, where suspicious packages must be inspected accurately and quickly.
The presence of different racesFrom the robust Belgian Shepherd to the smallest Jack Russell, it allowed us to illustrate that There is no single type of police dogEach breed brings different characteristics (size, agility, resistance, sense of smell, manageability) and is chosen based on the type of work expected to be done, always combining genetics, training and individual aptitude of the animal.
Myths, training, and the role of smell in police dogs
One of the most important points that was clarified during the presentation of the Arona UCPP was related to The false myths surrounding police dog trainingThe idea that they are given drugs to "teach" them how to find them remains deeply ingrained in part of the population, and could not be further from the truth.
Working with these animals is based on very strict training and wellness protocolswhere the dog's health is never put at risk. What is done is to associate certain smells with a game or a very attractive reward for the animal (ball, chew toy, food, etc.). The dog seeks out the smell because it knows that if it finds it and marks it correctly, it will receive its reward.
The bond between handler and dog is another pillar of success. It's not just about giving commands and expecting obedience, but about build a relationship of trust, security and teamworkThe handler understands the animal's reactions, knows when the dog hesitates, when it has detected something, and how to reinforce or correct behaviors. In turn, the dog feels safe following the directions of a person who provides structure, protection, and reward.
This training, especially in tasks such as drug detection or search and rescue, requires a daily and constant job for months and even yearsThat's why the Arona UCPP has started with a single dog-handler team and not a larger team: properly training each dog and handler is more important than growing too quickly without guarantees.
Areas of intervention: schools, squares, leisure areas and bus stations
The UCPP design has been made with the specific needs of Arona as a tourist and residential municipalityPatrolling a densely populated urban area is not the same as patrolling an environment with leisure areas, beaches, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods. In this case, police dogs focus on scenarios where drug dealing can have a direct impact on community life and the sense of security.
One of the priority areas is the environments of educational centers, especially secondary schoolsThese areas can be places where young people may first encounter drugs on a small scale. The presence of the Canine Unit acts as a preventative measure, deterring those who might consider using these spaces as exchange points.
Special attention is also paid to squares and areas classified as problematicin areas where street-level drug dealing or associated antisocial behavior has been previously detected. The dogs' ability to locate substances hidden in benches, planters, trash cans, or other street furniture makes these makeshift sales points much more difficult to maintain over time.
Another common scenario for action is the leisure and public event areasBoth day and night, festivals, local celebrations, and large gatherings can be affected by drug use and distribution. Integrating the UCPP (Specialized Police Unit) into the preventative measures for these events increases police control without the need for mass or intrusive operations, as the dog facilitates a very precise selection of individuals or areas to be searched.
Finally, the UCPP has jurisdiction in bus stations and other public transport pointsIn these locations, the constant flow of people and luggage makes dogs a key tool for locating hidden substances, whether in backpacks, suitcases, or small packages. The speed with which a dog can inspect a line of people or a group of bags is unmatched by a manual search.
Vehicles and resources: modernization of the Arona Local Police
Arona's commitment to its police dogs goes beyond training. The City Council has recently incorporated six new vehicles for the Local PoliceWith the aim of improving emergency response, strengthening public safety, and continuing to modernize the force, this fleet renewal is part of a comprehensive strategy to update equipment and resources.
Of these six vehicles, Four are motorcycles intended for the Traffic UnitTheir main function is to facilitate traffic monitoring and regulation, as well as to allow for much faster intervention in accidents, traffic jams, road incidents, or emergency situations. The agility of motorcycles is crucial in a municipality with tourist areas, where traffic can be very heavy at certain times of day.
Another of the vehicles added is a accident investigation van that functions as a mobile work unitThanks to this resource, officers can prepare on-site traffic accident reports, take statements, collect evidence, and participate in advanced preventative measures, such as breathalyzer tests or document checks. It is also very useful in particularly complex operations when a logistical support point is required near the scene of the incident.
The key piece for the UCPP is the van specially adapted for the Canine Unit (K9)This vehicle is specially equipped for the safe transport of police dogs, with ventilation systems, dedicated compartments, and safety measures designed to ensure the animal's well-being at all times. It's not just about "taking the dog in the car," but about creating an environment where the dog can travel comfortably, protected from the heat, and ready to go to work fully alert.
This canine van allows the unit to move quickly to drug detection operations, searches for missing persons, or preventative measures in educational centers and eventsFurthermore, it makes it easier for the handler to manage training equipment, water, food, and other items necessary to keep the dog in optimal condition throughout the service.
Political commitment and future of the police dogs of Arona
The improvements in material resources and the creation of the UCPP are not isolated initiatives. Both the mayor of Arona, Fatima Lemes Reverón, as the local police councillor, Hector ReyesThey have publicly emphasized that security is a strategic priority for the City Council, and that these investments are part of a firm commitment to the residents of the municipality.
As the mayor explained, equipping the Local Police with more effective, safer resources adapted to current needs This means committing to a more accessible and faster service on a daily basis. In a municipality with a significant resident population and a constant flow of tourists, the capacity to respond to emergencies and prevent minor crimes is fundamental to maintaining quality of life and the image of a safe destination.
For his part, the local police councillor stressed that the arrival of the new vehicles and the implementation of the UCPP represent a significant leap in the operational capacity of the corpsNot only in routine surveillance and traffic tasks, but also in more complex interventions where the combination of technology, specialized units and coordination with other bodies makes the difference.
The Canine Unit, specifically, is conceived as a key element in prevention and security strategiesThe intention is to consolidate the work started with Dana and her handler, gradually incorporate new dogs as their training processes are completed, and take advantage of the collaboration with other canine units in the Canary Islands to share experiences and improve procedures.
In addition, plans are underway to enable a direct and anonymous communication channel with citizens so that residents can report potential cases of drug dealing. In this way, the work of the police dogs will be reinforced by the community's social fabric, creating a kind of community "alert network" in which each report can help to better focus resources and interventions.
All these measures place Arona in a prominent position within the Canary Islands with regard to the Integration of canine units into local securityFrom the presentation of the UCPP in El Fraile to the modernization of the fleet and cooperation with other local police forces, the municipality has taken very clear steps towards a more specialized, visible security model supported by the potential of police dogs as a preventive and operational tool.
The development of the Arona Police Prevention Canine Unit, the incorporation of specialized vehicles, and institutional support paint a picture in which Police dogs are now part of everyday life in the municipalityThey patrol near schools, participate in leisure activities and events, intervene in traffic controls and help to combat drug dealing with an effectiveness difficult to match by other means, thus reinforcing the feeling of security and the link between citizens and the Local Police.
