Home

The Gainesville Police Department K-9 Unit was established in late 2003. After months of research and recommendations from established K-9 units and some of the industry’s leading Police K-9 experts, the unit was established with four certified full service K-9 teams. The good news for Gainesville residents is that the $40,000 purchase price was paid through a federal grant.

The canines, German Shepherd European Imports, are trained and certified as Full Service Patrol Canines in the areas of: tracking, controlled substance detection, article detection, and apprehension. These areas of certification also branch out to include building searches for controlled substances and hidden suspects, outside area searches for controlled substances, articles, and hidden suspects. All of these areas of certification have been maintained for three consecutive years by Cross Creek Training Academy, Inc., North American Police Working Dog Association (N.A.P.W.D.A.) and Gainesville Police Departmental Certification. We are very proud we are able to maintain this level of K-9 service for our city.

The four canine handlers are currently assigned to the Patrol Division. With one handler assigned to each shift, the K-9 unit is available 24/7. Each handler was selected after an inquiry into their case history, personnel file, and supervisory recommendations. They also participated in an oral interview in front of a panel of four supervisory personnel to answer policy, procedural, and personal questions pertaining to their possible roles as canine handlers.

Since the start of the K-9 Unit, our handlers have maintained a canine involved life. They average 12 hours per week of canine related training, work a regular 42 hour work week, attend required court proceedings, conduct canine related appearances, and document all canine related activities. In addition to their hectic schedules, the handlers host canine related courses, teach Police K-9 seminars throughout the southeastern United States and average over 400 K-9 related incidents per month. Since their inception they have obtained Master Police K-9 Trainer Certification and recorded over 100 successful tracks including: the apprehension of armed robbers, burglars, wanted suspects, missing children and elderly persons, over a half a million dollars in controlled substances seized, and over 30 public demonstrations for local schools, civic organizations, and various groups.

If you would like to find out more about the Gainesville Police Department K-9 unit contact Lt. Stan Kimbrell.