The Irwindale Police Department Canine proudly serves the area with a highly trained and efficient Police Service Dog. The K-9 was established within the department to augment police services to the community by assisting the Patrol and Detective divisions with a highly skilled team.

The canine team’s primary function is to assist members of the Police Department in apprehending dangerous suspects and to create a safe environment for the public and the Police Officers that proudly serve. The Irwindale Police Department understands importance of police canines’ and their function. Due to the canine’s olfactory factor (Sense of smell) being one million times stronger than a human, along with their acute hearing heighten vision of movement, the Police Canine is a vital asset to the police department and the community they serve.

 

 

 

The Canine Unit is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond and assist patrol operations, detective functions as well as SWAT missions. In addition to assisting in apprehending dangerous suspects and protecting the handler, a Police Canine is often called upon to help locate evidence such as a weapon or other items either discarded or hidden by suspects. The Irwindale Police Department Canine is also cross trained in locating narcotics. When not patrolling high crime areas, the Canine Unit may be found providing security assessments to local business’ and residents, assisting neighboring cities with a search, or performing demonstrations at a local business, school, or public event.

The Irwindale Police Canine when not working lives at home with the handler. This is beneficial for both the Police Canine and the handler as it strengthens the bond between them. The Handler cares for the canine on a day to day basis in regards to feeding, cleaning, exercise, medical care, training, and socializing. This also enables the Canine Team to respond to a call of a critical incident scene with a prompt response time.

The Canine Unit trains on a weekly basis and is always in need of a building or homes to use to simulate real searches for the unit. Local residents and business owners often open their homes, offices and warehouses for this purpose. The Canine Officers are grateful for this continuing partnership with the residential and business community.