The Indiana State Police will be hosting the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA) Nationals the week of October 28 through November 1, 2013 at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) near North Vernon, IN. This year will be the second time in the last three years ISP has hosted this event. During this weeklong event, police work dog teams will participate in search and rescue, utility, explosive, drug, and scenario based training and certifications will be completed daily. Over 120 teams are expected to participate.
The opening ceremony will take place Monday, October 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Building 403 of the MUTC facility. Although media is welcome and encouraged to attend any day, a VIP/Media Day has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 30 beginning at 9:30 a.m. “Windshield†tours of the MUTC facility will begin at 11:00 a.m. and media will also have the opportunity to see the K-9 teams in action and various subject matter experts and K-9 officers will be available for interviews and questions throughout the day. Last year there were K-9 teams from 12 different states and two Canadian Provinces taking part in the event.
The schedule of events for Wednesday, October 30 (Media Day) is as follows:
8:30 a.m. K-9 Venues open
9:30 a.m. Media welcome at MUTC Media Bldg
10:30 a.m. VIP welcome at MUTC Media Bldg
11:00 a.m. Bus tours of MUTC facility for media and VIP’s begin
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch (guests are responsible for their own meals)
**Media and VIP’s will be allowed to stay on the grounds of MUTC until 3:00 p.m. Throughout the day K-9 handlers and subject matter experts will be available to answer questions of media and media will also be permitted up-close access to observe, photograph, and video K-9 teams in action. Sergeant Jerry Goodin, Indiana State Police Public Information Officer and Army Sergeant First Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury/Muscatatuck Public Affairs Officer will be on hand to facilitate media.
For more information about the International Police Work Dog Association visit their website athttp://www.ipwda.org/. Questions concerning the IPWDA Nationals prior to the event should be directed to Sgt. Tony Knox, Indiana State Police at tknox@isp.in.gov or Sgt. Dennis Wade, Indiana State Police atdwade@isp.in.gov.
Directions to MUTC:
From Indianapolis, Louisville, and Camp Atterbury: Take I-65 to exit 50A (U.S. 50 East toward North Vernon). Travel east on U.S. 50 19.8 miles taking you through North Vernon. East of North Vernon a flashing yellow light marks the entrance to MUTC. Turn left at the flashing yellow light in front of Brush Creek Elementary School and follow that road to the MUTC entrance.
From Cincinnati and points East: Take I-275 around Cincinnati to exit 16 (U.S. 50 Greendale exit). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left to go west on U.S. 50. Take U.S. 50 west for 43.2 miles. The flashing yellow light west of Butlerville marks the entrance to MUTC. Turn right at the flashing yellow light in front of Brush Creek Elementary School and follow that road to the MUTC entrance.
