[From left:  Officer Paul Gorman and K-9 Maximus, Officer Shawn Kendall and K-9 Stryder, Officer Craig Hamilton and K-9 Leo, Sergeant Troy Teigen and K-9 Rico, Officer Dan Lesser and K-9 Rav, Officer Jake Jensen and K-9 Duke]

The Spokane Police Department K-9 Unit was established in 1987 with three Patrol canine teams.  Those canines were imported from Germany and proved so successful in locating criminal suspects that two more canines were added in 1988.  Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s the number of Patrol canines and narcotic detection canines  fluctuated from a high of nine canine teams down to the current number of five teams (Patrol only).  The K-9 Unit provides support to SPD members and other regional law enforcement agencies by safely and efficiently searching buildings and vehicles, apprehending suspects, tracking fleeing suspects, and protecting Police Officers.  The canines also provide support by finding evidence, searching for lost subjects that are in extreme danger, giving public demonstrations for civic events and organizations, and teaching other law enforcement agencies basic and advanced K-9 skills and tactics.  

Many of the canines have been imported from European lineage.  The canine unit has primarily had German Shepherd canines from Czechoslovakia, and Germany, but has also had Belgian Malinois canines from the  Netherlands.  Several of the Spokane Police service canines were bred here in Spokane from previously imported Spokane Police service canines. The canines live at home with their Officer handlers and their families, and eventually go on to live with their handlers after they retire from service.              

For a close-up look at the life of a K-9 dog and his handler, please watch the SPD K-9 Video from our streaming media page to learn more and see our dogs in action.

For information on the Police Patrol Dog Advanced Handler Course, please watch the Advanced Handler Course Video.

The Spokane Police Department’s first dogs were imported German Shepherds trained in Schutzhund (protection dog sport). The department soon started a unique puppy program with these dogs. The dogs are bred and the puppies are placed in the homes of interested officers. The K-9 Unit supervisor monitors their growth and at approximately one year of age, the dog is then tested for his potential to be a police dog.  Over the history of the K-9 Unit, six of our police dogs have been products of the puppy program with several others placed in departments throughout the Northwest.

The Spokane Police K-9 Unit relies greatly upon donations to maintain the high standard of care that is required.  100% of the K-9 donations are used solely for the care, maintenance, and training of the dogs.  Documentation is provided for charitable tax donations upon request.

The SPD K-9 Unit would like to proudly thank the following people for their gracious donations to our unit:

The Spokane Police K-9 Unit will accept donations for the purchase of dogs, equipment and safety supplies.  Please contact K-9 Sergeant Troy Teigen at (509) 625-4116 or email him at tteigen@spokanepolice.org  Please make checks payable to Spokane Police K-9 Unit.

Every year the Spokane Police Department K-9 Unit awards one of its K-9 teams the title of “Top Dog.”

Each team competes in ten different events such as obedience, fastest building search, fastest track, fastest area search, shooting, and the unit’s qualifying run, along with the most finds for the year.

2012 - Craig Hamilton and Leo

Past "Top Dog" Recipients:

K-9 Unit Trading Cards!

All of our K-9 officers and their dogs have great trading cards that you can collect to learn facts about each handler and dog team. Click on a picture of a K-9 team to bring the cards up in PDF format to print at home.  Trading cards are now also available through the K-9 Unit Office!  Contact 625-4116 and get your trading cards today!