The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is a highly trained, specialized team that plays a critical role in protecting our community. Working side-by-side with their handlers, K-9 officers assist in law enforcement operations that require speed, precision, and advanced detection capabilities.

These canine teams are more than partners—they are an essential extension of our deputies in the field.

A Dedicated Partnership

Each K-9 is paired with a deputy handler, forming a team that trains, works, and often lives together. This close bond allows for seamless communication and trust in high-pressure situations.

Training is ongoing and rigorous, ensuring that both the handler and K-9 maintain the highest level of readiness and professionalism throughout their service.

What Our K-9 Teams Do

K-9 units are trained to support a wide range of law enforcement operations, including:

• Tracking & Apprehension
  Locating suspects who have fled on foot or are hiding
• Narcotics Detection
  Identifying illegal drugs during traffic stops, searches, and investigations
• Search & Rescue
  Assisting in locating missing or endangered individuals
• Officer Protection
  Providing an added layer of safety in high-risk situations
• Evidence Recovery
  Helping locate discarded items such as weapons or evidence

K-9 teams are often deployed in situations where time is critical and traditional methods may not be as effective.

Community Support Makes It Possible

The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is made possible through the generous support of the Dakota County, NE K9 Foundation.

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to funding the purchase, training, and ongoing care of K-9 officers, helping ensure that our community benefits from this vital resource without placing additional burden on taxpayer funding.

Through donations, fundraising efforts, and community involvement, the foundation plays a key role in sustaining and growing the K-9 program.