The Charlotte County Canine Unit has seven crossed trained Patrol/narcotic teams, one patrol/explosive team and one bloodhound team. Our goal is to provide support for the road patrol in all aspects of law enforcement. We are available to all members of the Sheriffs office whether it be for patrol, narcotics, explosives or tracking with the bloodhound.

The canine unit trains twice a month to keep the dogs proficient in their responsibilities and to prepare them for certification on a yearly basis.

In June of 2005 all the Charlotte County canine units certified in narcotics and patrol. We have two new canine teams that have just graduated from our K-9 academy and are now starting an exciting career in K-9. Members of the canine unit have made several outstanding arrests this year including a track by our bloodhound team that ended with the apprehension of a murder suspect. In May one of our patrol/narcotic canine teams assisted with a search warrant and while the K-9 was searching the residence he alerted on a locked safe in the master bedroom. When officers opened the safe they found over 50 grams of narcotics hidden inside.

In June Dfc Merrett and his K-9 Zando tracked a burglary suspect directly to his residence and scratched on the door, the suspect answered the door and after a thorough investigation the stolen property was found. Also in June Cpl John Heck and K-9 Hutch arrived at a burglary scene reference a plate glass window that was broken out. When Cpl Heck gave his announcement that K-9 was coming into the building the suspect advised that he was in the building and not to release the K-9. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. As of June 1st the canine unit has worked 302 complaints and 1,192 backups to assist other officers.

In April 2005 two of our K-9 units came in as the top two man team at the state K-9 trials held in Pensacola Florida. The United States Police Canine National Trials will be held in Evansville, Indiana this year and we hope to send some representation from our agency.