K9 UNIT

 

K9 Sampson at the 2017 R&R Camp

A K9’s sense of smell is 6 million times better than that of a humans making them more effective than a 20 person search team. Police K9’s are trained to do a variety of tasks including:

  • drug detection
  • bomb detection
  • tracking/trailing missing persons
  • recovery of deceased persons
  • apprehension of criminal suspects

Most K9’s are trained in one area of expertise making them highly skilled and effective at their jobs. K9’s and their handlers have a special bond but always keep in mind these are working dogs, not family pets. NEVER FEED, PET, OR APPROACH A POLICE K9 OR K9 VEHICLE WITHOUT SEEKING PERMISSION FROM THE HANDLER FIRST. 

OUR K9’s

K9 Sampson & Corporal Brandon Allen

K9 Sampson and handler Corporal Brandon Allen retired in 2018 after serving 2 years with the Sheriff’s Department. Sampson was certified in drug detection and tracking/trailing rescue with Highland Canine Training in North Carolina.

            

Drug detection dogs are specialized dogs in seeking out illegal substances. Highland Canine training uses real-world scenarios to prepare their dogs to locate illegal substances anywhere from on a person and their belongings to any passenger or commercial vehicle and buildings. Sampson is trained to seek out several including illegal substances; marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), PCP, and LSD. If the presence of a drug is detected, Sampson uses a passive “freeze and lock” to alert his handler to the presence of the drugs.

Tracking/trailing is used for Search and Rescue calls of missing persons. Tracking is following the scent of a person on the ground, whereas trailing is following the scent of a person through the air. Sampson is trained in trailing which is the more effective method of locating a missing person in a timely fashion.

K9 Tom & Sheriff Ray Allen

K9 Tom retired in 2013 after serving with the Sheriffs department for 9 years.

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K9 Tom and handler Sheriff Ray Allen were trained in both drug detection, patrol procedures (protection and apprehension), and tracking and trailing. As a result of his training and hard work, K9 Tom saved two lives during his service and had a 100% accuracy on narcotics alerts.