Emergency: 911        Non-Emergency: (803) 436-2774
Location: 1281 North Main Street, Sumter, SC 29153
     Mailing: P.O. Box 430, Sumter, SC 29151

K-9

K9 9 K9 6

Our K-9 Unit is comprised of five K-9/handler teams that must complete an intensive training program to receive National Tactical Police Dog Association (NTPDA) certification. Regular maintenance training with a yearly certification is required. Our K-9s are used for three main purposes: locating people — a bad guy or lost individual; locating hidden drugs and drug currency; and apprehending criminal suspects. The nature of this profession also requires that the K-9s are trained in handler protection and trained to bite and hold suspects who are hiding or fleeing from law enforcement. Our K-9s are also used to teach children about the dangers of drugs through demonstrations conducted at local schools. In addition to patrol duties, the K-9 Unit routinely assists other divisions with executing search warrants, including high-risk warrant service, building clearing and large-scale area searches for drugs.