JASPER – The Indiana State Police (ISP) Jasper Post is proud to announce the addition of a new Patrol K-9 team to its ranks, further strengthening law enforcement capabilities across the district. Trooper Austin Collins and his new partner, Leo, a Belgian Malinois imported from Poland, successfully graduated from the rigorous 16th Indiana State Police K-9 Training School.
The graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Indiana State Police Museum, celebrating eight new ISP Patrol K-9 Handlers and one Lawrence County Deputy who completed the intensive program alongside their canine partners.
The Indiana State Police K-9 School is an annual 12-week commitment held in Indianapolis. The curriculum demands over 480 hours of instruction, encompassing a wide range of critical skills:
- Obedience and Handler Protection
- Tracking and locating articles of evidence
- Apprehension of fighting or fleeing suspects
- Building searches and narcotics detection
Handlers also receive specialized training in K-9 legal concepts, odor-detection theory, and tracking. Teams frequently train at night and under varied conditions, focusing on scenario-based training and problem-solving for 8 to 10 hours a day.
ISP K-9s, including German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds, are all imported from Europe and certified through the Dogs for Law Enforcement Organization. Leo, the Jasper Post’s new addition, is just over a year old and joins the ranks as a highly trained Belgian Malinois.
Introducing Trooper Collins and Leo
Trooper Austin Collins, Leo’s dedicated handler, is a three-year veteran of the Indiana State Police. His experience is extensive, including service in the United States Marine Corps and a three-year tenure with the French Lick Police Department before joining the ISP.
Trooper Collins brings a wealth of specialized expertise to the team, including:
- Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
- Field Training Officer (FTO)
- Member of the Indiana State Police Honor Guard
- Certified Breath Test Operator
- Former member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon (TIP)
As a newly certified Patrol K-9 team, Trooper Collins and Leo will regularly respond to calls for service across the entire Jasper District, utilizing Leo’s specialized skills to aid in various field operations.
