KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29, 2013): A policewoman has successfully completed training to become a corporal in the canine (K9) unit, making her the first female police officer in the country to do so.

Corporal Hilda Wilson Gunong, 29, said she has been waiting a long time to join the unit.

“I really love animals, especially dogs. It took me four months (to complete) the K9 unit training at IPD Sepang and I am really happy that my dream has come true,” she said.

Gunong said she has served in the Royal Malaysian Police for the past six years, previously in the technical photo support unit.

“As a K9 handler, you need to be a pet lover so it would be easy to handle (dogs).

“You also need to be attached to them, and if they (make) mistakes, immediately correct them,” she said after the K9 unit performance at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here today.

She hopes that more policewomen would come forward to join the unit.

Meanwhile, principal assistant director (D6) of Bukit Aman criminal investigation department (CID) technical assistance head ACP Ibrahim Chim said the K9 unit is now focusing on assisting Ops Cantas, following the unit’s success in helping police operations.

“The K9 unit have trained 145 dogs nationwide. It is important to have this unit, especially in crime investigation operations where (the teams are able) to expedite investigations,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference at Pulapol, Ibrahim said the unit has also been deployed in operations involving VIP events, bomb threats, narcotics and tracking criminals.

“The K9 unit is ready to cooperate with other units such as the Fire and Rescue Department, Prison Department and it also runs demonstrations in schools.” to get closer to the public,” he said at a press conference.

​http://www.thesundaily.my/news/868723