1. Training Budgets are tight. How do I justify the expense? What are the benefits?
2. Why do you host the conference in Las Vegas?
4. Will I get to attend all of the classes?
5. How many workshops can I attend?
7. Do you allow civilians to attend?
Training Budgets are tight. How do I justify this expense? What are the benefits ?
The Invictus Law Dog is a very unique K9 conference. It brings together top K9 Trainers and Experts from across the U.S. The conference hosts experts in the area of Narcotics, Patrol, Supervision, and Explosives, as well as other K9 specialties. It brings the experts to one spot, and gives you access to the trainers that were previously limited by their or your geographical location.
We have created a memo you can submit with your training request. It outlines the bullet points we’ve made below. You should evaluate and decide if all or any part of this memo is necessary and should even be included in your training request. We don’t want to create issues or concerns with administration where there are none. Approver's Memo
The Invictus Law Dog is the highest quality, yet least expensive National K9 conference you can attend. We understand the economy and agencies budgets are tight. Training needs to be relevant, effective and worth every penny.
Relevant: Each and every class presented at the conference is carefully screened for Relevance. Classes and subjects are proposed by Trainers and Handlers, we then search the United States to find qualified individuals to teach them. The Instructors have lived, experienced or survived what they are teaching. It’s been tested in theory and practice.
Classes are presented in Legal Updates, Problem Solving, Handler Safety, Incident Debriefs, First Aid and Trauma Care, Criminal Patrol, Handler Skills, Selection Testing, Decoying, High Risk Searches, EOD Searches, Behavior Modification, Imprinting, Risk Management, Reality-based Training, K9 Risk Management, Urban Tracking and the list goes on. Over 25 different classes are planned in 2009. All are classes specific to K9 Handlers, Trainers and Supervisors.
Effective: The conference is set up so the attendees select each class they want to attend. Most classes are prepared in a Power Point format, with picture, video and audio reference. Instructors also provide their contact information if additional information is needed later. The classes are in a professional, but easy going atmosphere. The mood is upbeat and fun. Students are encouraged to participate in the lectures and share any relevant experience.
Worth (Value): We encourage handlers to learn from each others mistakes and successes. From the $1,000,000 seizure to the $9,000,000 settlement. Our instructors have trained hundreds of dogs, found millions of dollars, performed hundreds of raids, tracks, have been shot, sued, been completely in the right, and wrong, and seen their K9 partners killed. You cannot put a price tag on that.
Why do you host the conference in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is our location for several reasons:
1. It is our home, born and raised.
2. The city was designed around conventions like the Invictus Law Dog. It is just as cheap to have a convention here than any other city in the U.S. It is cheaper to get here than other cities. In order maximize the continuing education and to keep the conference viable, it needs to be done as inexpensively as possible to the handler. Vegas is the place to do it as cheep as possible.
3. Facilities. Vegas has the facilities to handle the 600+ Handlers that we expect this year. Other cities may have the facilities to accommodate the conference, however it is a service. In Las Vegas it is an industry. The difference in getting a Cadillac in Detroit, or getting one in Moscow.
NOTE: Invictus has NEVER had ANY issues, incidents, attendee or citizen, departmental complaints EVER.
Attendees will begin registering on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:00PM. Schedules will be handed out and attendees will be able to speak with the vendors. These vendors supply dogs, training supplies and law enforcement equipment. They also will meet and network with the instructors and K9 associations.
Each morning (Tues, Wed, Thurs) classes will begin promptly at 0800. Lunch break will take place at 1200 until 1300. Classes will run from 1300 until 1700 daily, with the exception of Thursday, 2-26-09. On Thursday those that are doing working classes will go to their training area at 0800, those attending the conference will be in class until 1200, at which time the classes will end.
Classes are between 2 to 4 hours in length, with approximately 4 classes running at any one time. The classes are self-directed, handlers will pick their own classes. They do not need to sign up or reserve a seat. They pick the class and go. If the class they are in isn’t exactly what they wanted, the simply pick another.
Will I get to attend all of the classes?
NOTE: In the 2.5 days handlers will only be able to attend 6-10 of the approximate 25 classes we have planned, depending on the length of the class. All of the classes are excellent, but handler’s are still stuck deciding which class to attend and ultimately miss great sessions. In an effort assist agencies get the most of the conference, we’ve reduced the price for multiple handlers. Agencies can now send multiple handlers to split up and attend different classes.
How many workshops can I attend?
Each workshop is 2 days in length, therefore you will only be able to attend one workshop on the dates of the February 26-27, 2009. You can also attend the SKIDDS on Feb 21-22, 2009, each workshop is $150.
Yes. At the conclusion of the conference, handlers are given the course certificates. They will also have a class breakdown with hours. Depending on the state, you may be able to submit the certificate and breakdown for POST credit.
Do you allow civilians to attend?
Invictus does allow a limited amount of qualified civilians to attend, not just anyone. Most of the top trainers are civilians, they teach and are allowed to attend most of the classes, except the Law Enforcement Sensitive Classes. Law Enforcement are given different badges from Civilians. Badges are audited before and during sensitive classes.
The civilians who are allowed to attend work in High Risk occupations and facilities as K9 Handlers, regularly work with Law Enforcement and are every bit as competent as their LE Counterparts. These people come from a variety of fields, Fortune 500, large hospitals, and international companies.
Civilians wishing to attend must contact Invictus to apply.
Invictus was formed in 2006 by Daniel King, a police officer in the Las Vegas valley. The company was formed initially to provide training and earn additional money for training. While serving as a K9 Handler I created the Invictus Law Dog. A continuing education conference for handlers. Classes are presented for narcotics, patrol, explosives canine handlers, and their supervisors. In our first year we had nearly 400 handlers, in our second nearly 600. We have provided training for the US Navy, Air Force, Army, hundreds of Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. We are one of the Worlds Largest K9 Handler Conventions.
The business is completely licensed and is Law Enforcement and U.S. Veteran owned.