K-9 Unit
The current Mesa Police K-9 Unit was formed in January 1989. At that time
there were three Police Service Dog (PSD) handlers, each with a Police dog.
All three PSD's were trained as dual-purpose dogs. They were trained to
locate people and also trained as narcotic detection dogs. PSD handlers are
full-time sworn officers of the Mesa Police Department.
Today there are nine K-9 handlers and 13 Police Service Dogs
(PSD's) working within the Mesa Police Department. There are
five patrol dogs, five detection dogs and three dual-purpose
dogs. The five patrol dogs and three dual-purpose dogs are
trained to locate people. Two of the dual-purpose dogs are also
trained to locate narcotics, while the other is trained to
locate explosives. There are three narcotics detection dogs and
two explosive detection dogs. All of the dogs are sociable.
The safety of the public and other police officers is the
primary concern of the members of the K-9 Unit. The dogs have a
keen sense of smell that allows them to locate hiding suspects
easier, safer and usually much quicker than officers searching
by themselves. The dogs are used to search open areas,
buildings, and commercial yards for suspects. The psychological
effect of having a dog present in a tense situation proves
beneficial to all. Countless times the dogs' presence has
de-escalated violent scenes without any physical force having to
be used.
Hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs are taken off the streets
of Mesa each year as a result of using the narcotics detection
dogs. The bomb detection dogs are an extreme asset to the
citizens of Mesa. Numerous bomb searches are conducted at our
schools and businesses each year after bomb threats are
received.
Each Police Service Dog handler takes their police car and
dog/s home with them each day. The K-9 Unit provides seven-day a
week coverage and is subject to callout at any time when they
are off duty.
Mesa Police Department
K-9 Unit
PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211