Police Service Dog Teams (PSDU)

In a time where police activity is directed from a communications center miles away from where a Deputy Sheriff is engaging in investigative and enforcement activity, where considerable funding is spent on sophisticated service and investigative technology, a constantly sought after asset by the law enforcement patrol force remains the police service dog.

Superior Senses

Police Service Dogs (PSD) use their superior sense of odor discrimination, hearing, and ability to see movement, especially in the dark, to:

  • Search buildings or areas for:
    • Hidden suspects
    • Evidence
    • Drugs
    • Other contraband
  • Search for lost or missing persons
  • Track crime suspects

They also apprehend criminals, protect their police partners and citizens, and share their human partner’s role of preserving the peace and preventing crime.

Training & Certification

The Sheriff’s Office staffs 3 specially trained PSD teams, Sergeant Rick Houk and K9 Argo, Deputy Sean Urban and K9 Dutch, Sergeant Jesse Beever and K9 Bady. Their presence honors a 50 year tradition of using police service dogs at the Sheriff’s Office. All Sheriff’s Office police service dogs are certified by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). The USPCA is the largest and oldest police service dog certification organization in North America.

Support

Police Service Dog Teams from the Ann Arbor Police Department, University of Michigan Department of Public Safety, Ypsilanti Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office work and train collaboratively to support each other in meeting the often high demand for these specially trained teams.