The Raleigh Police Department’s K-9 Unit was formed due to the efforts of Officer Kenneth Mathias in 1983. Officer Mathias suggested to Chief Frederick Heineman [1979 – 1994] that the Raleigh Police Department would benefit from the use of a tracking dog. Previously, the department would find dogs to help track on an as-needed basis, sometimes borrowing them from the state prison system. However, Officer Mathias reasoned that having a trained dog readily available would save time and money.

 

The first K-9 of the Raleigh Police Department was Phantom, trained by Officer Mathias himself on a course provided by the Baltimore Police Department. Phantom learned to track the smells of drugs and some explosives. 

 

To this day, the Raleigh Police Department continues to use K-9 units to track missing people, assist in patrol duties, and find concealed drugs and explosives. Canine breeds that have been used include Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Bloodhounds, and Labrador Retrievers.

 

Before joining the K-9 Unit, new handlers attend a training for a minimum of 14 weeks. The canines themselves are trained to the standards of the United States Police Canine Association. Canines must attend an annual certification trial.