General Information

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is comprised of two dual purpose dog teams and two single purpose dog teams. The dual-purpose dog teams each certify in narcotics detection and patrol work. Each dual-purpose dog team is certified in the areas of handler protection, evidence searches, tracking, building searches, field searches, suspect apprehension, obedience, agility, and narcotic detection. The two single purpose dog teams each certify in narcotics detection. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is a member of and certified with the National Police Canine Association (NPCA).

These teams provide support for different divisions and units within the Office to include the Investigations Division, Patrol Division, Detentions Bureau, Metro VNI, Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), and Special Response Team (Detentions). The Sheriff’s Office K9 Teams have also aided many outside agencies to include the FBI, ATF, DEA, Federal Bureau of Prisons and numerous others. The K9 Unit is on call 365 days a year and responds to several different situations within the County.

The two dual-purpose canines are Belgian Malinois, one of the single purpose canines is a Labrador Retriever and the other is a Dutch Shepherd. These police canines were purchased locally through Johnson’s K9. The dogs are selected and trained for specific purposes and will continue their training until their retirement from the Unit.

The Sheriff’s Office is proud to improve upon the service brought to the citizens of El Paso County through the use of Police Service Dogs. The impact they have on modern day policing and the community is immeasurable and their positive contributions result in better service for the public.