K9 Unit

We have three dual purpose patrol/narcotics dogs, one narcotics dog, and one explosive detector dog. The explosive detector dog is a black Labrador; two of the dual purpose dogs are German Shepherds; the third dual purpose dog is a Belgian Malinois', and the narcotics dog is a German Shepherd.

The dual purpose dogs are used for narcotics detection; building searches for hidden suspects; area searches for hidden suspects in woods, or open areas; tracking and general preventive patrol. The explosive detector dog is a single purpose dog and used only to find explosives.

There is a dual purpose dog assigned to each of the three patrol shifts. The narcotics dog works with the narcotics interdiction unit. The explosive detector dog, assigned to day shift, works flexible hours as needed. All of the K-9 teams are “on call” should they be needed during off duty hours. When off duty the K-9's live at home with their handlers as apart of the family.

Nelson: Retired July 01, 2008, and is now "living the dream" at the home of Sgt. Davis. 

Ellie: Handler is Sergeant Ted Davis. She is a three year old German Sheppard that is certified in narcotics detection. Sgt. Davis and Ellie are assigned to the ICE unit. Ellie is the newest member of the K-9 Unit.
 
Ivan:  Handler is Sergeant Jim Thornton. Ivan is a German Shepherd from the Czech Republic and has been with the department for about 4 years. He is a dual purpose patrol/narcotic dog and has been working patrol. He has made several drug cases while on patrol. Sgt. Thornton and Ivan are assigned to Patrol division Charlie shift.
 
Zack:  Zack is a six year old Belgian Malinois from The Netherlands and has been working with the department for about two years.  He came to us with a Dutch Police title, (KNPV:  Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging, or Royal Dutch Police Association Hound) which helped us get him ready for the streets here in America.  He is a dual purpose patrol/narcotic dog and has been working patrol. He has been involved in many searches for narcotics and suspects since being certified in April 2007.  Officer Patrick Lowery and Zack are assigned to Patrol Bravo shift.  
 

BooBoo:  Handler is Officer Chris Hunter.  BooBoo is a four year old German Shepherd, and Chris acquired him as a puppy. When BooBoo grew old enough, he was tested and found to be a good candidate for police work. He is a dual purpose patrol/narcotic dog and has done interdiction and patrol work during the last two years. He assisted with the capture of a suspect following a bank robbery in Inverness in August of 2007; the suspect had hidden in an area lake. He also assisted in 1600 pounds of marijuana seizures in January 2007 while working the task force. Officer Hunter and BooBoo are assigned to Patrol alpha shift.
 
Hans:  Handler is Officer Lee Love. Hans is a three year old black lab.  He was originally being trained as a leader dog for the blind, but Hans proved to be a little too head strong for that, so the ATF acquired him for their explosives detection program. Officer Lee went to Virginia to the ATF bomb dog school for ten weeks and that’s where he got Hans. Hans has only been with us a few months; however he assisted in several searches. Officer Love and Hans are assigned to Patrol alpha shift.