Stefanus Benecke’s Bio

Captain Stefanus Benecke, (ret.) is a 16-year veteran of the South African Police Services. Stefanus began his police career as a constable.  His duties included basic police work, patrol work, crime prevention, and investigation. After a year as a constable Stefanus was selected to attend the South African Police Dog School where he began as a K9 Officer. Throughout the following years he was selected to attend the Dog School for further training in K9 Explosives and Narcotics Detection courses. Stefanus not only completed the Basic K9 Narcotic Handlers course but also was a part of the first group of narcotics K9 officers to attend an Advanced Narcotics K9 Handlers Course. Stefanus was awarded two medals for internal regional competitions and he was also awarded a medal of merit.

While working as a K9 handler Stefanus also earned a four year degree in Police Administration. Stefanus also completed an additional year long program in Operational Management. This course focused on change management and conflict handling. Following the completion of these courses Stefanus attended the Officers course at Advanced Training Academy and was promoted to Lieutenant.

With his promotion, Stefanus was promoted to Commander of a National Component of the South African Police Dog School, the Tracking and Tactical Training Center. As the Commander Stefanus managed and evaluated the training of hundreds of dog handlers and police officers. The types of courses provided were Tactical Training (scenario-based), tracking with dog as well as basic and advanced visual tracking without dog courses, and SWAT courses. While conducting training, Stefanus also took part in national level investigations of serious violent crimes where tracks were involved. During his tenure as the Commander of these courses, Stefanus was promoted to Captain.

After his service in the police, Stefanus spent over five years working in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq Stefanus was employed as an explosive dog handler and training advisor for the Iraqi Police. While deployed to Afghanistan Stefanus worked for VCSi as the Country Trainer. His duties included training and certifying numerous explosive dog handlers as well as a large number of narcotics dog handlers. These handlers were deployed throughout the country of Afghanistan providing security for the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), multiple Embassies, and critical infrastructure such as the international airport and the main power plant.