LVMPD - K-9 Unit

The LVMPD K-9 Detail consists of sixteen officers and twenty-five dogs Fourteen are patrol dogs, trained to locate human scent. These dogs search for suspects, lost victims, and evidence that the suspect may have discarded. One dog is a Dutch Shepherd, three are European bred German Shepherds, and eight are Belgian Malinois'.

Two new patrol dogs are currently being selected by handlers. Five of the dogs are Narcotic Detector dogs which are trained to locate marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Hunting breeds such as Springer Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers are used because of their high hunt and play drives. Six Explosive Detector Dogs are used to locate many various types of explosives.

In addition to the dogs assigned to K-9, LVMPD has five other Narcotic Detector Dogs. Four of these dogs are assigned to the Narcotics Detail, Interdiction Team. They have two Springer Spaniels, and is a Black and Yellow Labrador. The fourth is assigned to the Resident Section, Laughlin and is dog teams means that they must be deployed during the times most needed.

Historically, the nighttime hours are where the biggest volume of calls are where K-9 assistance is needed. The most common use of K-9 Patrol Dog Teams involves searching for suspects who have fled on foot and "escaped".