The Canine Unit started in 1986 with one officer (Retired Officer Stan Downward and a bloodhound named Jesse. Currently, there are fourteen teams engaged in search and patrol work. Some of these teams are also trained in explosives detection. The training for this unit is six months with each dog being cross-trained to perform searches for contraband, missing persons, and routine patrol work. Each patrol squad has a K-9 team assigned to it.