K-9 Unit

K-9 Unit The Wake Forest Police Department's K-9 program was created in 1997 with the purchase of the Town's first dog, K-9 Chico. Today, the department’s K-9 unit is comprised of four dogs: K-9s Kyra, Lagos, Maverick, and Sixx. To learn more about these invaluable members of the Town's police force, view the video or continue reading below.

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW
The Wake Forest Police Department's K-9 program was created in 1997 with the purchase of the Town's first dog, K-9 Chico. Chico, a Belgian Malinois, was trained in narcotics detection, tracking, criminal apprehension, article searches, building searches, and handler protection. 

Officer D. Hess & K-9 Maverick

Officer L. Collie & K-9 Lagos

Officer M. Pender & K-9 Kyra

Officer J. Myers & K-9 Sixx

Chico was retired in August of 2005 after several years of dedicated service.

In 1998, K-9 Judge, a German Shepard, joined the K-9 unit and was paired with his handler, Sgt. J.R. VanNess. Judge was retired in December of 2006 after several years of dedicated service. 
 
In 2004 K-9 Maverick, a Belgian Malinois, joined the K-9 unit. He continues to serve in the police department with his handler, Officer D. Hess. 

In 2006, two K-9's joined the K-9 unit - K-9 Sixx, a Slovak Shepard, and K-9 Lagos, a German Shepard.

Sixx's handler is Officer J. Myers and Lagos's handler is Officer L. Collie. Both canines continue to serve the department.

In 2007, K-9 Kyra, a Slovakian Shepherd, became the fourth member of the Wake Forest Police Department's K-9 Unit. Kyra's handler is Officer M. Pender.


BENEFITS OF POLICE K-9S
One of the greatest values of police K-9s is their presence on the street. K-9s have a tremendous psychological effect and, as a result, are a tremendous deterrent against criminal activity. Their purpose is not to replace the police officer, but to work as a member of a K-9/handler team. The police K-9/handler bond is one that cannot be described.

The K-9's remarkable sense of smell and hearing are the primary reasons police departments utilize them. These senses allow the dog to perform functions that the human officer cannot. 

Another value of the police K-9 is the fact that they do not experience any fear. As a result, they have and will gladly give their life to protect their handler.

NORTH CAROLINA POLICE DOG ASSOCIATION
The entire Wake Forest Police Department Canine Unit is certified with the North Carolina Police Dog Association (NCPDA).  The NCPDA is a nationally recognized certification program.  They have specific guidelines for all of the job functions that the canine teams must perform.  If they do not meet the guidelines for each job function, they fail.

All canine teams are certified in the following job functions: 

• Vehicle and Building Narcotics Detection  
• Tracking/Trailing  
• Control/Obedience 
• Evidence Search  
• Area Search  
• Building Search 
• Vehicle Stops  
• Criminal Apprehension 
• Recall from Apprehension  
• Suspect Apprehension    
• Suspect Approach

FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have any questions about the Wake Forest Police Department's K-9 unit or would like to request a K-9 public demonstration, please contact Lt. M.D. May at (919) 554-6150.