FOLEY — Foley will go to the police dogs Sept. 24-29, as the 2023 United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) PD1 K-9 Nationals welcome more than 100 police K-9s and handlers.

Competition Director and Foley Police Department Sgt. Carlos Lizarraga said participants will be competing in obedience, hidden suspect recovery, article search and apprehension work at the FST Fields. There will also be an evidence recovery portion taking place at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.

Lizarraga said three of Foley's own K-9s and handlers are USPCA members and will be taking part in the event, including himself and his K-9 Tua. He said the competition is a chance for all the participants to showcase how much work they've put in to meet the high standards set forth by the USPCA.

"Handlers and their K-9 partners are held to extremely high training standards during their patrol duties and while training to meet USPCA standards. The amount of work and dedication it takes to qualify for USPCA nationals is breathtaking," Lizarraga said in a press release. "USPCA is a vital organization for its members because it helps promote highly trained and certified canine teams. Police, as a whole, regard their fellow brothers and sisters in blue as a family. When you link the passion for policing with the passion for working a K-9, the end result is a highly dedicated individual who openly accepts the extra responsibility that working a K-9 brings. Every handler wants to see each other succeed on and off the competition field."

All events are free and open to spectators but those attending should keep an eye out for driving and parking restrictions in places specifically for this competition.

A public demonstration featuring examples of all the areas of competition will take place Sept. 28, at 5:30 p.m. at the Foley Sports Tourism Championship Stadium.