The Canine Unit provides specialized services in situations when a canine can be used more effectively and with a greater degree of safety than a deputy. Canine services are available to all Department units as well as federal, state, and local agencies.
The Canine Unit:
- Assists in the detection and prevention of criminal activity;
- Locates suspects in buildings and open areas;
- Apprehends fleeing suspects;
- Protects law enforcement officers;
- Searches for lost persons; and
- Detects drugs and bombs.
The Unit is comprised of six handlers; one sergeant and five deputies. Each is assigned a Belgian Malinois partner.
On July 20, 2004, the Department lost a valuable member of its Canine Unit, Rico. While Deputy Rodney Hamilton and his partner, Rico, searched for a wanted person in the area of Sahuarita Road and Interstate 19, Rico alerted and Deputy Hamilton released him. Rico pursued the suspect and was hit by a vehicle on I-19. He later succumbed to his injuries.
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