The purpose of the Department’s K-9 Unit is to assist field and detective operations. The Mint Hill Police Department K-9 Unit provides support to the Police Department members and other regional law enforcement agencies by safely and efficiently searching buildings and vehicles, apprehending suspects, tracking fleeing suspects, and protecting officers. The canines also provide support by finding
evidence, searching for lost persons that are in extreme danger, giving public demonstrations for civic events and organizations. The Canine Unit endeavors to provide year round, 24 hour availability of a police canine in order to meet the needs of citizens and law enforcement personnel. Enhancing department community relations as well as officer safety and productivity are key objectives of the program's mission. Through training and education, the K-9 Unit seeks continued self-improvement and an increasing involvement in the community law enforcement effort. The Police Department’s current canines consist of a Dutch Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois. In 2014, K-9 Blitz and K-9 Ivy were purchased from K-2 Canine Training Solutions in Jackson Springs, North Carolina where the handlers were sent to K-2 Canine Training Center for five weeks of training with their dogs, “Blitz” and “Ivy”. The dogs were trained prior to the arrival of their new handler’s arrival in obedience, article searches, narcotic detection, tracking, handler protection and apprehension. Over the course of rigorous training, both teams began to create the strong bond that is necessary for effectiveness and continued to grow as a unit. Upon graduation, Sergeant Gilman and his partner K-9 “Ivy” were awarded the “Top Dog Award”. Both K-9 teams certified the week of graduation with the International Police Working Dog Association and returned to Mint Hill where they began to assist the Police Department immediately. K-9 Ivy has since been retired for medical reasons and was replaced by K-9 Tazz who also came to us from K-2 Solutions. The Mint Hill Police Department retired its previous canines “Ajay” and “Bady” in December of 2012. McKenzie partnered with “Ajay” and Officer D. Both teams were trained in obedience, article search, narcotic detection, tracking, handler protection and apprehension. The current K-9 Unit is supervised by Sergeant Gilman who sets up training sites, request equipment and pursues public support and the communication necessary to assist the Department and oversees operational standards. The Mint Hill Police Department strives for the most up to date training standards to continue building a foundation of success for years to come. The K-9 Unit has a proud history, and is looking toward the future with high expectations. The reputation and stature of this team would not have been possible were it not for the efforts and dedication of all its personnel, past and present.
