About DAD/DAC

The Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime (DAD/DAC) National Law Enforcement K-9 Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of law enforcement K-9 operations and to educating our youth on the dangers of drug abuse. We conduct training seminars for K-9 officers to improve their skills and abilities, helping them to better serve their communities. We also conduct anti-drug educational presentations for children through our Puppy Patrol anti-drug education program.

DAD/DAC provides grants to officers for purchasing highly-trained special purpose dogs and related training equipment and supplies and to provide training for the officer and/or dog. As part of our program, we also conduct working/training seminars for K-9 officers on numerous topics related to police service dogs. Many police departments also contact us for assistance with information on training, equipment, recent case law and other resources for canine operations.

The DAD/DAC team takes a special interest in working with children. We recognize the tremendous impact drug abuse can have on their young lives, and through Puppy Patrol anti-drug education program, we provide an entertaining, educational and motivating message on the dangers of using drugs.

DAD/DAC was founded by police officers with an interest in helping our youth understand the importance of being a responsible member of society and serving fellow officers in the field of K-9 operations. We are dedicated to helping stop the drug menace that plagues our society and threatens our most precious asset - our children!

Board of Directors

President/National Director, Chief of Police

Darron Sparks
Anderson, IN Police Department
Email: dsparks@daddac.com

Darron has been a police officer since 1984. During his years of service he has served as Assistant Chief over Uniform Division, Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and 10 year SWAT Team member. He currently serves as a Detective for his department and is a state certified firearms and use of force instructor. Darron also has instructor certificates in patrol carbine, and is a physical fitness and wellness instructor for his department. In 1995, Darron was shot in the line of duty and was awarded the department combat cross and purple heart. For this incident, he was also named the 1995 "Police Officer of the Year" for Madison County. A survivor of many armed encounters, Darron places great emphasis on officer safety and proper tactics training and provides ultra realistic deadly force encounter training scenarios for officers at DAD/DAC seminars.

Vice President

Capt. Benny Diggs
Marion Co., IN Sheriff's Department
Email: bdiggs@daddac.com

Benny is a Vietnam veteran, having served in the United States Army. Benny has been with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for 33 years. In 1978 he joined the K-9 Section of the department and soon established himself as an innovator in K-9 tactics and training methods. In 1984, Benny was a member of the American Police Dog Team competing in Stukenbrock, Germany at the World Police Dog Trials. Benny now serves as the department's SWAT and K-9 Commander. Benny is a survivor of many police action shootings and armed encounters and takes great pride in teaching officer safety and tactics at DAD/DAC training seminars.

Treasurer

Kevin Banker
Anderson, IN Fire Department
Email: kbanker@daddac.com

Kevin brings a very interesting perspective to the directorship of our organization. Kevin formerly served with the U.S. Navy as a member of Naval Special Warfare. During his tenure, he served in Seal Teams One, Six and the elite Red Cell unit. Later Kevin served as a reservist with Seal Team Four and Eight. After leaving the Navy, Kevin attended Ball State University and received his degree in exercise science. Kevin is an emergency medial technician with the Anderson Fire Department. He has also served as dive team leader and is a past member of the Indiana National Guard and currently serves as a Navy Reservist. Kevin provides tactical and officer safety training at our seminars.

Secretary

Wendell Nope
Utah Police Academy, Salt lake City, Utah
Email: wnope@daddac.com

Wendell has served in law enforcement for over 33 years. He currently is the police service dog training supervisor for the Utah Police Academy. Wendell also serves as the U.S. Delegate to the International Congress of Police Service Dog Handlers. He was the first American officer accepted to the famous Landespolizeischule fuer Diensthundfuehrer in Germany, one of the premier police K-9 training schools in the world. He is recognized as an expert witness on police dogs in federal courts and numerous state courts. Wendell trained K-9s for the Winter Olympics, where he and officers worked security for the games. Wendell is responsible for training curriculum development for the members of our association and serves as a core instructor at our training seminars.