JASPER, Ind. (WFIE) - Eight new Indiana State Police officers and one Lawrence County Deputy received their K-9 partners Wednesday during a graduation ceremony at the Indiana State Police Museum.

ISP Trooper Austin Collins from the Jasper Post and his partner “Leo” were among the graduates who completed the 16th Indiana State Police K-9 Training School.

The annual 12-week program in Indianapolis includes over 480 hours of instruction covering obedience, tracking, locating evidence, apprehension of suspects, building searches, narcotics detection and handler protection. K-9 handlers also receive training in legal concepts and odor detection theory.

Teams train eight to ten hours daily in varying conditions with scenario-based training and problem-solving situations, including nighttime e

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