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

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

Darron has been a police officer since 1984. He is currently the Chief of Police of the Anderson Police Department and has served as an Assistant Chief of Non-Uniform Division, Uniform Patrol Sergeant, Training Coordinator and Detective for his 120 officer department. Darron spent 14 years on the SWAT team and holds instructor certificates in Firearms, Patrol Carbine, Physical Force Tactics, Physical Fitness/Wellness Instructor and is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy. He is a survivor of many armed encounters and in 1995 was awarded the department combat cross and Purple Heart for being shot in the line of duty. For this heroic act he was named the 1995 “Officer of the Year”. Darron places great emphasis on officer safety and proper tactics training and provides realist scenario training for officers at DAD/DAC seminars and preaches the motto “train as you fight, fight as you train”.

Vice President

Lt. Benny Diggs
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Email: bdiggs@daddac.com

Benny is a Vietnam Veteran, having served two tours in the United States Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Unit. During his second tour Benny was wounded by small arms fire and was awarded the Purple Heart. Benny began his police career with the Marion County Indiana Sheriff’s Department where he worked a K9 for over 23 years and eventually obtained the rank of Captain and was Commander for the SWAT team for 9 years. He has established himself as an innovator in K9 tactics and training. Benny also was a member of the American Police Dog Team competing in Stukenbrock, Germany at the World Police Dog Trials. In 2007 the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and the Indianapolis Police Department combined to become the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Benny now serves as the Lieutenant of the IMPD K9 Unit and supervises 20 police k9 teams. During Benny’s career he is a survivor of many police action shootings and armed encounters and takes great pride in teaching officer safety and tactics.

Treasurer

Kevin Banker
SAIC, Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indiana
Email: kbanker@daddac.com

Kevin brings a very interesting perspective to the directorship of DAD/DAC. Kevin formerly served with the United States Navy and was a member of Seal Team One, Six and the elite Counter Terrorist Team “Red Cell” where he was commanded by the legendary “Rogue Warrior” Retired Commander Richard Marcinko. While serving Kevin participated in Operation Just Cause Panama, Operation Urgent Fury Grenada and Operation Desert Storm. Kevin currently serves in a National Guard Long Range Reconnaissance Reserve Unit. At the young age of 55 he’s still jumping out of airplanes. After serving in the United States Navy Kevin enrolled in college at Ball State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Kevin then became an EMT for the Anderson Fire Department and served as the dive team leader for ten years. He then left the fire department to work for military contractor SAIC as a weapons specialist at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in southern Indiana and recently received his government GS rating. Kevin uses his past military experience to train officers in tactics, fighting and shooting skills and has owned and worked police k9’s.

Secretary

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

Wendell has served in law enforcement for over 35 years where much of his time was spent training and learning about police k9s. He is currently the police service dog trainer for the Utah POST and oversees all the K9 training programs. Wendell served as a U.S. Delegate to the International Congress of Police Service Dog Handlers. He was the first American official asked to judge the Diensthundfuehrer in Germany, one of the premier police K9 training schools in the world. He is recognized as an expert witness in K9 behavior and use of force issues by many state courts and assisted the U.S. Secret Service in training K9s for the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Utah. During the Olympics he and other K9 officers worked security to assure a safe Olympic event. Wendell serves as one of the most knowledgeable board members and is nationally known for his K9 training philosophies. Wendell works with curriculum development for the members of our association and serves as a core instructor at DAD/DAC training seminars.