K9 Law Enforcement Teams (K9)

A K9 dog and its handler are important contributors to investigations. Assigned duties can range from locating suspects, search and rescue operations, detecting illicit drugs or explosives, backing up patrol calls and preventing violent confrontation simply by the dog's presence.

The K9 dog often becomes a part of its handler's family.  Together they undergo rigorous training to perform at high levels of professional standards in the field. 

Here are some of the real-life situations where K9 teams have proved invaluable in law enforcement.

• Felony Warrant Service - June, 2010
  "Officers assigned to the La Quinta Police Department Special Enforcement Team with the assistance of the Coachella Community Action Team, Coachella Valley Community Services District Team, California Highway Patrol Aviation Unit, and K9 teams from Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Indio Station, Palm Desert Police Department and Border Patrol conducted an extensive search in the 87000 block of Avenue 61 in the unincorporated county area of Thermal for suspect in several theft investigations dealing with burglaries, vehicle theft, weapon violations, and assault with a deadly weapon throughout the Coachella Valley. "

• Vehicle Stop - October, 2009
  "Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Officers from the Temecula Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Pechanga Road and Pechanga Parkway. The passenger immediately exited the vehicle and ran from the Deputies. The driver of the vehicle told Deputies that the fleeing suspect threatened to shoot him if he stopped for the police. A short foot pursuit followed which entered the north perimeter of the Pechanga Reservation. Deputies initially lost sight of the suspect in a heavily wooded area and a perimeter was set around the area where the suspect was last seen. With the assistance of the Pechanga Tribal Rangers, Sheriff’s Department helicopter, a Murrieta Police Department K9 Unit and a Hemet Police Department K-9 Unit, the suspect was located a short distance into the reservation."

Public Demonstrations

The public is often invited to observe K9 Team Trials and demonstrations. These exhibitions can include K9 teams from other law enforcement agencies as well.