Orange Beach Police K-9 Teams Achieve Top Honors in K-9 Narcotics Detection

R. Ken Cooper • February 16, 2025

OBPD K-9s Impress with High Scores in Certification

OBPD K-9s Impress with High Scores in Certification

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The Orange Beach Police Department's K-9 teams recently excelled at the USPCA Region 1 Regional Certification in Lakeland, Florida. Officer Giles secured first place overall in narcotics detection with a perfect score of 200 out of 200. Officer McVickers earned fourth place with 199.67 points, and Officer Clere took sixth place with 197.33 points. In explosives detection, Officer Dixon achieved third place overall, scoring 287.33 out of 300.


The duo of Officers Giles and McVickers won first place in the two-man department team category for narcotics detection, achieving a near-perfect combined score of 399.67 out of 400. In individual events, Officer Giles placed second in room searches for narcotics detection with a perfect score of 100, while Officer McVickers secured third place in the same category, also with a perfect score, with placement determined by time. Additionally, Officer Giles earned first place in vehicle searches for narcotics detection, scoring 100 out of 100.


The department expressed immense pride in their K-9 teams' dedication and excellence in the field. Community members are encouraged to congratulate these officers on their outstanding achievements when they see them on patrol.


The Orange Beach Police Department K-9 team rankings at the USPCA Region 1’s Regional Certification in Lakeland, Florida…

  • Ofc. Giles – 1st Place Overall in Narcotics Detection (200/200)
  • Ofc. McVickers – 4th Place Overall in Narcotics Detection (199.67/200)
  • Ofc. Clere – 6th Place Overall in Narcotics Detection (197.33/200)
  • Ofc. Dixon – 3rd Place Overall in Explosives Detection (287.33/300)
  • First Place Two-Man Department Team: Ofc. Giles & Ofc. McVickers (399.67/400 in Narcotics Detection)


Additional Top Finishes:
Rooms (Narcotics Detection)

  • Ofc. Giles – 2nd Place (100/100)
  • Ofc. McVickers – 3rd Place (100/100) (decided by time)


Vehicle Searches (Narcotics Detection)

  • Ofc. Giles – 1st Place (100/100)


Share this article w/ Friends...

A Work of Art of Orange Beach winner of the 2026 Blue Marlin Grand Championship
By OBA Staff July 24, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — A Work of Art of Orange Beach won the 2026 Blue Marlin Grand Championship at The Wharf. The team became the first three-time winner in tournament history and caught the event’s heaviest blue marlin. The victory came during a tournament that set records for both fleet size and prize money.
Downtown Foley
By OBA Staff July 24, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Main Street has launched a new community giving initiative, the "Friends of Downtown Foley" program. The effort allows residents and supporters to directly invest in the artistic and cultural growth of the city's historic downtown district. The program was created by the Foley Main Street C
Gulf of America Jeep Fest 2026
By R. Peevy July 24, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Drive around the South, especially near the coast, and you will notice a special group of drivers who enjoy taking off their tops, some who greet you with special waves, and others who even have funny little ducks across their dash. For the Jeep enthusiast, the spirit of adventure is never c
Gulf Shores Police Cruiser
By OBA Staff July 23, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores police officers arrested eight people Wednesday after an armed robbery at a home in the 5500 block of Lemon Tree Lane. The suspects—six adults and two juvenile males—face multiple felony charges. Officers located the suspect vehicle within one minute of responding to the call. N
Makos on Main
By K. Cooper July 23, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools invites students, staff, and the community to celebrate the start of the school year at the annual Makos on Main Parade. The event will be held at The Wharf in Orange Beach and is free and open to the public. Students from Pre-K through 12th grade will march toget
Orange Beach Officers secure a boat that got loose during T.S. Bertha
By K. Cooper July 23, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — An Orange Beach resident, Maria Hawkins, found more than she expected while checking their property Wednesday morning after Tropical Storm Bertha. A boat had washed up near their dock overnight. Hawkins spotted it after waking up and stepping outside to survey the damage. What followed was
Gulf Spanish Mackerel - Photo by Shutterstock
By K. Cooper July 23, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — NOAA Fisheries is inviting the public to weigh in on a proposed rule that would reduce the annual catch limit for Gulf Spanish mackerel. The proposed change is part of Framework Amendment 14 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf and Atlantic Reg
Tropical Storm Birtha's Current Position
By K. Cooper July 22, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, was located due south of Dauphin Island and just southwest of Orange Beach as of 4 a.m. CDT this morning. The NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami issued Advisory 12, placing the storm's center near lati
Gulf Shores International Airport
By Erica Thomas July 22, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Officials with the Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF/JKA) broke ground on a $15 million terminal expansion in response to “extraordinary” passenger growth.
Extension - Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities
By K. Cooper July 22, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Watching a cluster of balloons drift over the Gulf may feel like a fitting tribute or a joyful celebration, but researchers say the practice causes lasting harm to wildlife and the environment. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System published a report, warning that every balloon released
Show More