San Diego Sheriff’s Office adds four new explosive detection K-9s

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Meet the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office’s newest explosive and firearm detection K-9s — Archer, Bear, Dexter, and Nalla.

The sheriff’s office announced Friday the department has four new fully trained explosive and firearm detection K-9s after the year old red and yellow Labrador Retrievers completed a ten-week academy at the sheriff’s K-9 facility in Miramar.

The sheriff’s office says K-9s Archer, Bear, Dexter, and Nalla are trained specifically to detect explosives and firearms. The K-9s will also be on call for other law enforcement agencies around San Diego County.

Archer

Archer is a red Labrador Retriever, handler Deputy Jovonni Silva

Bear

Bear is a red Labrador Retriever, handler Deputy Daniel Elwess

Dexter

Dexter is a yellow Labrador Retriever, handler is Deputy Darryl Patmon

Nalla

Nalla is a yellow Labrador Retriever, handler is Deputy Thomas Nelson

Nonprofit organization Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association funded the purchase of the dogs, which each cost around $6,500, and also contributed an additional $12,000 for specialized equipment, the sheriff’s department said.

The four new dogs join the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit’s 28 dogs trained in protection, article searches, tracking suspects or evidence, firearms, explosives and drug detection.

The sheriff’s department says the K-9s specialized roles make them important to have in large crowd situations like concerts, sporting events, festivals, parades, airports, transportation hubs, dignitary visits, active shooter incidents and other high-risk scenarios as they can detect the slightest traces of explosives materials and gun powder.

The Sheriff’s K-9 Unit is also hiring K-9 handlers with at least two years of experience working in patrol, detentions or courts. To learn more about the K-9 Unit, click here . To apply as a deputy, visit joinsdsheriff.net .

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