Hanahan Police K-9 Unit
The K-9 Unit of the Hanahan Police Department
consists of three officer/canine teams. Currently, we have two German
Shepherds, Ciro and Cody, and one Belgian Malinois (pronounced "MAL-in-wah"),
Feda. All three Canines are considered "Dual Purpose" dogs
in that they serve as patrol dogs as well as detect illegal drugs.
Our dogs are used in a variety of different ways. In addition to
detecting drugs, the dogs are able to track suspects, find missing
persons, retrieve items such as guns and knives discarded by a fleeing
criminal, search large buildings for intruders, perform demonstrations
for schools and protect their handlers.
Before becoming a handler, an officer endures a physically and mentally
exhausting training course. In six weeks, the officer has to learn
how to care for his new partner, learn how to read the dog's body
language, master voice and hand commands and give first aid. Many
long hours are spent in the woods and the fields honing the new teams
skills. Laws concerning search and seizure and the use of police
canines are also addressed in depth. Weekly training takes place
to keep the team's skills sharp.
There is generally at least one canine team on duty every day during
peak hours of activity. There is always one canine team on call 24-hours
a day to assist the patrol division or another agency. When not on
duty, the dogs are not kept in kennels or pens. Instead, they live
with their handler and become a member of the family. Officers are
compensated for the time they must devote on their "day off" for
the care of their "partner".
