CODE4K9 delivers customized SWAT/K9 Integration Training for canine handlers and their police service dogs. The course is tailored to the unique needs of each agency and its K9 program. Led by owner and lead trainer Erick Maldonado, the program emphasizes dynamic, scenario-based instruction designed for real-world deployments while staying aligned with industry standards and best practices.
Erick brings unmatched qualifications to this specialized training. With extensive experience as a SWAT Operator, Team Leader, K9 handler, and K9 Unit Trainer, Erick offers a rare dual perspective on tactical and canine operations. In addition, Erick serves as an instructor with the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), where he teaches courses on SWAT Operations and Field Supervision, further reinforcing his credibility and expertise.
At the core of C4K9’s philosophy is a simple principle: no dog is ever left behind. Erick works closely with handlers and their partners to ensure each team leaves training more capable, more confident, and better prepared to succeed in high-stakes deployments. Contact Erick at c4k9train@gmail.com to schedule your SWAT/K9 INTEGRATION Course. See Services and FAQ pages for more information and course details.
Erick is a highly qualified use-of-force expert specializing in the deployment and integration of police K9 units in patrol and special operations. With years of experience as a SWAT Operator. Team Leader, K9 handler, K9 Unit Trainer, and K9 Unit Supervisor, Erick offers a unique perspective on the intersection of tactical operations and canine utilization..
Erick provides expert analysis and testimony in cases involving police use of force, with a particular emphasis on K9 apprehensions, handler decision-making, training standards, and agency policy. Drawing from extensive real-world deployments and supervision, Erick evaluates whether K9 applications are reasonable, necessary, and consistent with established best practices and case law.
As an instructor with the National Tactical Officers Association and a K9 Unit Trainer with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, AZ, Erick brings both field credibility and instructional expertise. Attorneys, agencies, and courts rely on clear, unbiased evaluations and the ability to explain complex law enforcement practices in a way that is understandable to juries, judges, and the public. Allow Erick to help navigate you through the complexities of K9 use-of-force. Contact Erick at c4k9train@gmail.com to start working on your case. See Services and FAQ pages for more information.
Join Erick Maldonado on a gripping journey through his 29-year career in law enforcement, spanning intense assignments in SWAT, K9, and Search and Rescue operations. From adrenaline-pumping, high-stakes missions to heart-wrenching encounters with traumatic events, Erick shares his raw and authentic experiences on the front lines of justice. Witness the toll of PTSD as he navigates the haunting aftermath of his courageous service—a powerful account of sacrifice, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the line of duty.
Erick is a seasoned public speaker and storyteller. He is committed to sharing the valuable lessons he has learned from his career and the profound impact of his traumatic experiences. Contact Erick at c4k9train@gmail.com to book him as a public speaker at your next departmental training session. See Services and FAQ pages for more information.
“As soon as the door opened, I saw the youngest of the two daughters lying on the bed with a gunshot wound to the right side of her head, bleeding profusely. She was still alive but had agonal breathing, clinging on to life. There was an AK-47 lying beside her, confirming the information that the suspect was heavily armed. There was a mirror glued to the outside of the bedroom’s closet door, and in its reflection, I saw a large screen TV with the Netflix logo in the center. Everything around the logo was blood-red. I felt like I was in the scene from The Shining where a massive amount of blood pushes around the elevator doors.”
“You can’t get any closer to nut-cutting time than this. You’re in the lion’s den, and you know the lion is in it; you just can’t see him. We entered the room, and I immediately saw the older daughter sitting against the wall in the deep left corner of the bedroom. She had a gunshot wound to the center of her forehead and showed no signs of life. Both girls were wearing the same pajamas my kids had been wearing throughout the month of December. I can’t even put into words how that image affected me in the moment and the years to come. We located the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was seated against the wall between the glass slider and his bed. He was directly across from the daughter whom he had shot dead in the center of her forehead. He was alive but also had agonal breathing” - NECESSARY EVIL: ECHOES OF THE BADGE
NECESSARY EVIL: ECHOES OF THE BADGE is coming soon and will be available on Amazon in hardback, paperback, and E-book as well as at Barnes and Noble.