K9

A Police K-9 is explicitly trained to assist police personnel in their work.

Our K9 Units

The Salem Police Department currently has 2 Belgian Malinois and 1 German Shepard. Officer Benoit with K9 "Dash" Officer Nelson with K9 "Trigger" and Officer Gomez with K9 "Lobo." In addition to K9 Lobo's patrol function, he is also trained in bomb detection.

The canines go home with their human partners. The dogs tend to be more socialized staying with the officer's family, and are healthier, not being kenneled together where disease and illness can spread more quickly.

Responsibilities

These units work regular uniform patrol in their assigned routes and respond to assist on alarm calls, burglary calls, building searches, article searches, suspect tracking, and area and building search for suspects, narcotics, and officer safety assists. K9 officers may also assist in other police calls. Still, they try to stay available for calls where their dog might be deployed.

K9 units also participate in many civic functions and educational demonstrations throughout the year.