K9 Unit
The K9 Unit provides police
responses to in-progress calls as
requested by field personnel. The
unit is led by a sergeant and has four
handlers, each with a K9 assigned to
them. In 2018, the unit responded
to 298 calls for service. A dog was
deployed in 90 of those calls which
led to 38 apprehensions. There was
only one case where a suspect was
apprehended with a “bite” by the dog.
K9 handlers also responded to 525 calls
to assist patrol officers.
Unit personnel also participated
in 42 community events where citizens
are able to get to know the K9 handlers
and see their dogs. This amounted
to over 2,000 contacts with the public
where a K9 handler was present.
Officers assigned to the unit train
on a regular basis to keep their skill
sets at top performance. Last year,
52
| 2018 Annual Report
officers trained for 2,318 hours related
to K9 operations and 224 hours in other
departmental training.
In 2018, the unit added a fourth
handler which required a selection
process of the officer and addition of
a K9. This training continued into 2019
with a handler and K9 selected. Officers
are assigned marked Tahoes with K9
labeling to alert the public about the
presence of the dog.
K9 Quick Facts
298
Calls for service
90
Number of times
dog deployed
38
Apprehensions
525
Calls to assist
patrol officers