K-9 Teams

The Farmington Police Department supports four canine (K-9) teams that are trained for patrol. Currently two of the canine teams are cross-trained for narcotics detection. The department expects that all four canine teams will be cross-trained for narcotics detection in 2009. The canine teams work during the late evening/early morning hours.

The canine teams provide many functions for the department. Not only do they use their olfactory abilities in locating people, things and narcotics, but they also save the depart­ment hundreds of man hours every year. They provide an extra level of officer safety, not only for their handlers, but for other officers as well. The canine teams are also in­volved in public relations, which is done through the several demonstrations they do throughout the year.