HAPCOA Member Leads 1st Annual International K-9 Congress

(Panama) The Panamanian National Police held its first annual International K9 Congress on Monday, August 13, 2018 at his facilities in Panama City, Panama.

Organizing the event was HAPCOA Panama Chapter member Police Major Mario Chan Duran. Major Chan serves as the Chief of the Panamanian National Police K9 Division.

The event was co-hosted by the AIFCA-K9 Association (Asociation Intenacional de Formacion y Capacitacion de Adiestradores de Perros), which is based in Mexico. Also attending were representatives from K9 Police and Rescue (Red Cross) units based in Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico. K9 Units from Panama’s Border Patrol (SENAFRONT), Executive Protection Service (SPI), Air/Naval Service (SENAN), National Police Service and the Ministry of Agricultural Development attended this weeklong training event.

The Deputy Director of the Panamanian National Police Jacinto Gomez opened the event and also dedicated the K9 training area in the name of a fallen Panamanian Police Officer. HAPCOA Executive Director Anthony Chapa was invited to attend the event and assisted with the dedication ceremony. Also attending and supporting the event was HAPCOA Panama Chapter Sgt at Arms Esteban Blis (who also serves as an Advisor to the Ministry of National Security). HAPCOA Panama Chapter member, Ovidio Fuentes, Director of the DIASP (ATF equivalent) attended the closing ceremony for this historic event.

http://www.policia.gob.pa/16970-inauguramos-primer-congreso-internacional-de-especialidades-caninas-panam-.html

Panamanian Police Major Mario Chan, Chief of the K9 Unit, opens the training event before invited guests and international VIPS.

AIFCA K9 Director and Panamanian National Police Deputy Director Gomez cut the ribbon that dedicates the training facility in the name of a fallen officer. HAPCOA Executive Director Chapa is invited to support the event.