Book excerpt: In this fascinating book, Nigel Allsopp lifts the lid on the world of police dogs, examining the vital roles they play both in Australia and around the world. Despite the numerous high-tech devices now available to law-enforcement officials, `K9's - as they're known in the trade - remain an indispensable part of police work in a range of fields, notably terrorism and border protection. K9s may sometimes be sent into difficult and dangerous situations, but this is never done without care and concern, for at the heart of their role is the intimate and symbiotic relationship between dog and handler. K9 Cops explores the history, training and current use of police dogs, as well as considering what future dogs have in modern law enforcement. It also includes an A-Z of police canine units in 47 countries. For all police and military personnel, K9 Cops is an informative, must-read book. For the rest of us, it is an entertaining and heart-warming account that dog lovers the world over will enjoy.