K-9 Unit

The use of a trained police canine is an effective tool in law enforcement. Although their greatest value lies in the deterring effect of their presence, the use of a canine in making an arrest is only authorized when the circumstances legally justify such use. The canine handlers must be constantly alert to the amount of force they can legally use to make or maintain an arrest, and in determining the degree of force to be used, the handlers must take into consideration all known circumstances.

Primarily canines are assigned as preventive patrol to such areas where burglaries, robberies, assaults, and other serious crimes are most prevalent. Police canines may also be used for tracking, building searches, and item location (drugs and other evidence) at crime scenes.

The Kingsport Police Department began using K-9s in 1968, and has the second oldest continuous K-9 force in Tennessee, behind Memphis.

The KPD currently has three canines, Macho, Zak and Odus. The KPD mostly uses Malinois's (pronounced MAL-in-wah) imported from Holland. They were chosen over the more famous german shepherd because of they have fewer health problems and have longer useful service lives, usually until they are 11 year old. They are also a very high-energy dog.

Dogs and handlers are carefully screened and tested prior to training. It takes 16 weeks to train the basics for a dog. In addition, each dog and handler currently attend a 2-5 week school together in preparation for their function as a "K-9" unit, depending upon the experience of the officer. Unlike some departments KPD canines are not assigned "ranks".

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K9s often respond to commands in multiple languages such as Dutch and english, the former reflecting their original training. They are normally trained for multiple roles including patrol work, apprehension, narcotics or explosive detection.

Our current officers and their partners are: Patrolman Brian Taylor and Zak, Patrolman Kevin Hite and Odus and Patrolman Mike Burnette and Macho. Macho joined the KPD in 2008.