The Leesburg Police Department Canine Unit consists of one full service German shepherd, one narcotics detection German shepherd, and one narcoctics detection Labrador retriever. The full service Shepherd (“Hunter”) is trained in narcotic detection, tracking, building search, area search, evidence recovery, criminal apprehension, and handler protection. During the last quarter of 2009, we were able to purchase two detection dogs; German shepherd “Haas” and Labrador retreiver “Cooper”.

During 2009 our senior K-9 handler, S.O. Kenneth Lane was certified as a full service and detection dog trainer. S.O. Lane also retired his last partner, a full service Shephe-rd ("Hutch") and is almost completed training with K-9 "Hunter". In addition to his own dog, he has been tasked with the complete training of our new detection dogs. The training takes place locally as well as with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit in Astatula, FL. The LCSO lead instructor, Deputy Kurt Dumond is a CJSTC certified K-9 Training Team Instructor / Evaluator and is assisting S.O. Lane with the training of our new dogs. Training sessions include all aspects of the team’s capabilities as well as “real world” scenarios to evaluate proficiency.

For more information please contact Capt. Robert Hicks at 352-728-9860 ext.8237.