K-9 Program

Our K-9 teams enhance our officers’ ability to respond to emergencies, particularly in suspect tracking and apprehension, and building searches. Suspects have often given up rather than confront our canines making it safer for officers and citizens. These dogs have aided officers in apprehending escaped prisoners, wanted felons, and locating evidence from crime scenes. Having our own canine unit affords our department with improved officer safety in high-risk situations and faster response and clearing times to those calls.

Our K-9 Program began in 1994 and has been funded with city budget and donations from the community, most notably the Rotary Club of Monroe.

Each year our canines complete over 80 demonstrations and classes for our community. We remain available to provide classes or demonstrations to civic groups or schools. Call our business line at 360-794-6300 or email us to learn more. 

Meet Thor and Apollo 

In December 2024, Thor, a four-year-old German Shepard, and Apollo, a one-year-old Belgian Malinois, joined the Department and are partnered with Officer Pettit (left photo) and Officer Schuermeyer (right photo), respectively.

K9 Officer Pettit - ThorK9 Officer Schuermeyer - Apollo

Both dogs were acquired from Alabama Canine and completed an intensive ten-week training program through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, earning their Patrol Canine Team Certification. 

TrainingK9 Page

Patrol K-9s attend more than 400 hours of training during a basic canine course. The team is then tested and certified under the Washington State Police Canine Association and Washington Administrative Code standards. Once certified, patrol dogs and handlers continue training a minimum of 16 hours a month for the life of the dog. The dogs are trained for tracking, criminal apprehension, evidence search, building and area search, officer protection, and later, tactical operations. Handlers and dogs validate annually on these standards.