Are Palau’s K-9 units being used effectively in drug enforcement?

By Eustoria Marie Borja

Koror, Palau — There are growing concerns about the effectiveness of Palau’s K-9 units in combating illegal drug trafficking. Although these units were acquired to combat drug trafficking, their involvement in recent counter-narcotics operations has been limited.

K-9 Units and Their Roles

The Division of Transnational Crime oversees seven K-9s trained in drug and explosive detection. Among them, Gyuri, Bolo, Joker, Mare and Mex are skilled in drug detection, while Boomer and Replay specialize in bomb location.

Concerns about underutilization

Despite their specialized training, the K-9 units have been minimally deployed in drug-related operations over the past two years. Officials from the Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU) revealed that the K-9s, transferred to the Division of Transnational Crime two years ago, have not been deployed for drug seizures or search warrants since their transfer. Detective Lieutenant Miwa Nabeyama confirmed this lack of deployment, raising questions about the underutilization of these resources.

Challenges in implementation

Several factors contribute to the current situation. One major issue is the Bureau of Public Safety’s rotation policy, which requires officers to gain experience in multiple divisions. While this policy is designed to create well-rounded officers, it has created challenges for specialized units such as K-9 teams. Officers who rotate through different divisions often require additional training to effectively deploy and use K-9s. This frequent rotation has also led to inconsistent program oversight, as officers in charge of K-9 units are often reassigned to other roles, impacting program continuity.

At a recent Senate hearing, concerns about the rotation policy were discussed. Senators stressed the need for adequate training before rotation and suggested that officers should be able to accept positions voluntarily to ensure the effectiveness of specialized units.

Additionally, the appointment of Cary Levitre to oversee Palau’s security from the island has added complexity. While Levitre’s role is aimed at improving security, his remote position has raised questions about the ability of local leaders to address immediate needs, including the deployment of K-9 units.

Looking ahead

Palau’s ongoing fight against drug trafficking underscores the need for effective use of its K-9 units. Without strategic changes and improved leadership, these units may remain underutilized, potentially impacting the country’s ability to combat illicit drugs and protect its borders. The situation calls for a reevaluation of current policies and practices to ensure Palau’s K-9 units can fulfill their critical role in counter-narcotics efforts.