A Georgia State Patrol trooper and his K-9 partner are being recognized for their work to stop impaired drivers on Georgia roads.
Trooper Jordan Ginnel and K-9 Kai received the Golden Shield Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The pair were named K-9 Officers of the Year for their DUI enforcement efforts.
Ginnel said K-9s can assist troopers while they investigate suspected impaired drivers.
“As the trooper is doing the field sobriety, and the K9 is running the outside of the car and can reveal the type of narcotics that the suspect that’s under the influence is on,” Ginnel said.
Ginnel and Kai work, train and live together, building a relationship that GSP spokesperson Courtney Lund said also extends beyond their time on duty.
“They go home everyday, they build that relationship, those dogs have a relationship with their families,” Lund said.
Ginnel said working with Kai has created a unique bond.
“I think it’s a very unique experience. I am very thankful for it. It’s a bond like no other, when you think about it you’re with these K9s 24/7,” Ginnel said.
The pair also undergo regular training to prepare for enforcement on Georgia roads.
“Handlers are constantly and consistently doing work with their K9’s to make sure that they are most effective in the real world,” Ginnel said.
Nearly one in four traffic deaths in Georgia are DUI-related.
Officers from the Gwinnett, Coweta and Roswell police departments were also honored for their DUI enforcement efforts.
WSB’s Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Keith Cromwell contributed to this story.