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Specialized Units

Canine Section

Canine Section
9701 Marion Park Drive
816-949-1538

History
The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department’s Canine Section was formed in 1960. The Section began with four patrol dogs donated by citizens: Duke, Roger, Trooper and King II.  The primary purpose of the canine was to provide support to patrol officers and other investigative elements. In 1972, the Canine Section implemented Explosive Detection Teams and in 1986 added Narcotic Detection Teams.

Today
The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Canine Section has twelve dual-purpose canine teams. Eight of the teams are narcotic / patrol-certified while the other four are explosive / patrol-certified. All 12 teams provide support throughout the metropolitan area to patrol officers, investigative elements and outside law enforcement agencies.

Canine’s Purpose
A police canine’s primary function is to work as a locating tool.

The Canines are used to conduct:

  • Drug Searches | Explosive Searches | Area/Field Searches | Building Searches | Article Searches | Apprehensions

Canine Selection
The majority of KCPD’s canines have been obtained from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana, where they are specifically trained for law enforcement and military work. Most of these dogs originate from  Europe. The KCPD Canine Section has a few different breeds of patrol dogs including Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds and Czech Shepherds.

Training Process
Once an officer (K9 Handler) has chosen a canine, the handler and the canine will train for weeks in preparation for certification testing. All of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s canines are trained in-house at the KCPD Canine Unit. All canine teams (canine and handler) must pass the National Police Canine Association Certification before they can patrol the streets as a K9 Team.  Each team must pass NPCA Certification annually to continue to patrol the streets.

K9 Teams
Each team consists of a canine and a handler (police officer).  The canine and handler are together everyday, as the canine lives at home with the handler and is integrated into being a part of the handler’s family. The normal work life of a police canine is typically ten years. Upon retirement, the canine is normally adopted by their handler and lives the rest of their life with the officer as a retired working dog.

Fallen Heroes
Canines Killed in the Line of Duty:

  • K9 Trooper – March 17, 1961
  • K9 Star – Nov. 18, 1991
  • K9 Dio – Aug. 15, 2007
  • K9 Champ - February 15, 2023

Current K-9's

K-9 Gaviao

K-9 Gaviao is a 7 year old male Belgian Malinois from Brazil. Gaviao is a single purpose explosives detection canine.  Gaviao received his initial training at Vohn Liche Kennels located in Denver, Indiana.  Gaviao joined the department in February 2017 after completing KCPD’s rigorous K-9 selection process.  K-9 Gaviao and his handler are certified in explosives detection yearly by the National Police Canine Association.

K-9 Flick

K-9 Flick is a 3-year-old female Belgian Malinois from Eindhoven, Netherlands.  Flick is a single purpose explosives detection canine.  Flick received her initial training at Houston K-9 Academy located in Houston, Texas.  Flick joined the department in April 2022 after completing KCPD’s rigorous K-9 selection process.  K-9 Flick and her handler are certified in explosives detection yearly by the National Police Canine Association.