K-9

K-9 personnel serve as a supplement to the other members of the police department in a distinct fashion. Officers of this section are called upon to assist others when the need arises to conduct searches for persons or illegal materials.

The patrol car used by the K-9 unit is a standard police car modified for transporting our dog. Most noticeably, it has a platform in the rear seat specifically designed for the dog, and electric doors that may be opened remotely by the handler. The handler often has to leave his dog in the car while attending to other business and leave the car running with the air conditioner on. Some of the special features you may not notice include windows that automatically go down when the temperature in the interior of the car gets too high. The car will also activate the lights and siren and send a signal to the K-9 officer's pager warning him of the problem.