K-9 Unit

K-9 Unit

The K-9 Unit is comprised of 10 dedicated teams of handlers and dogs who assist the law enforcement community, and the citizens of Plymouth County and beyond. The Unit functions in a multitude of capacities to serve the public. Police departments routinely request the Sheriff's K-9 teams to conduct searches for fugitives and missing persons. The unit also performs drug searches in schools and homes at the request of the school department and the police, respectively. The K-9 teams are sometimes requested to help collect evidence at crime scenes. The teams are trained to recognize and recover guns, knives and drugs, among other evidence. This evidence is essential in the arrest and conviction of criminals.

The Unit operates its own K-9 Training Academy. All Sheriff's Department K-9 teams are required to participate in an intensive 16-week course. Once teams successfully pass the course, they continue training a minimum of two days a month at the academy. Some undergo additional training by taking a 10-week drug-training course offered by the department. Many police K-9 teams in Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol counties choose to train at the Academy.

The K-9 Unit appears at a variety of community events throughout the year. From schools to senior centers, the K-9 Unit provides informative and entertaining demonstrations. Often times, the highlight of the demonstrations is the bite work portion - where a mock fugitive is sent running, and is pursued and apprehended by the dog.