Canine Unit

The Coon Rapids Police Department has two teams currently assigned to this specialized unit. The K-9s are assigned to the Patrol Division and handle all facets of regular patrol work, but are available to specialized work such as:

  • Burglary or robbery alarms
  • All crimes in-progress calls
  • Area and building searches
  • Vehicle and narcotics searches
  • Tracking and apprehension of fleeing suspects
  • Searching for lost people

The K-9 team goes through continuous training to maintain and improve their specialized skills. The dogs live with their handlers and become a valued member of their families.  

Handlers & Canines

Officer Interna Kim and Belgian Malinois Ike are members of the canine unit. The two graduated from training school in June 2016. Officer Kim enjoys being a canine handler and says it is a challenging job.

Kim says Dogs can search a field that would take 10 to 20 officers, all in a fraction of the time. They help us with investigations in ways that are extremely vital to policing. The dogs are valuable tools and they do great work!

K9 team Officer Kim and Ike

Officer Brian Sternquist and Belgian Malinois Taz are also members of the canine unit. Sternquist and Taz graduated from training in June 2016 along with Officer Kim and Ike. Officer Sternquist says he has enjoyed learning to be a canine handler and has a great respect for what the dogs can do.

Officer Sternquist says, Taz is a hard worker. He knows when it's time to work and he's excited to go to work. His keen instincts, sense of smell and training have all helped him become an amazing tracking dog.

K9 team Officer Sternquist and Taz

Training

The Coon Rapids Police Canine Unit has been trained to the standards of the United States Police Canine Association. Current and past canine teams received numerous commendations and honors from the USPCA. Canine teams are trained in a variety of fields such as:

  • Article search
  • Building search
  • Criminal apprehension
  • Narcotics detection
  • Officer protection
  • Tracking

Our canine unit participates in annual certification tests and public demonstrations.

If your organization is interested in a demonstration please contact Sergeant Bautch at 763-767-6508 or email Sergeant Bautch.