(Los Angeles, California – May 2, 2007) Two Los Angeles Airport Police (LAX) canine handlers graduated from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program.

Canine Officers Juan Alba and Thomas Pendola attended the basic course in canine bomb detection training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas - one of the world’s top canine training centers. Alba and Pendola were taught the skills of canine bomb detection, safe handling of explosives and searches of various facilities and items.

The use of bomb detection dogs today includes searching areas in response to bomb threats at airports, on aircraft, in luggage, in cargo and vehicles as well as serving as a proven deterrent to would be terrorists.

Los Angeles Airport Police, combined with the Los Angeles Police Department, maintains the largest TSA canine explosive detection program in an aviation environment.

Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County, with more than 1100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel. The APD is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates four airports in Southern California: Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International, LA/Palmdale Regional and Van Nuys (general aviation).