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Released: 11/26/2025 

DRPA Police K9 Units Participate in Regional Explosives Detection Training

Three-day program puts officers and canines through real-world explosive detection scenarios

Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Police Department K9 Teams Officer Nicholson & K9 Bolt and Officer Anderson & K9 Axel participated in the Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative (REDDI) Training at the Mann Music Center, held in November.

The multi-day course was hosted by the Philadelphia Police Department K9 Unit and developed through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s Detection Canine Program. REDDI is designed to advance the knowledge, skills, and operational capabilities of explosives detection canine teams nationwide.

The training blended classroom instruction with extensive hands-on exercises, covering recent events, emerging trends, best practices, search tactics, training-aid considerations, and relevant intelligence resources. K9 Teams completed several odor recognition trials (ORTs) and operational search scenarios that challenged them in real-world conditions against real-world threats.

With the Mann Center closed for the season, nearly every part of the venue was used to simulate complex environments, including offices, green rooms, theater seating, courtyards, parking lots for motorcade-style sweeps, and kitchen and catering areas. The result was a diverse and realistic training landscape that tested and strengthened each team’s performance.

The course was demanding, but both DRPA teams finished with sharpened skills and a clearer understanding of the evolving challenges faced by explosives detection units. Continued participation in programs like REDDI reinforces our commitment to preparedness, public safety, and maintaining the highest operational standards for the communities we serve.

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