K-9 Unit - Melbourne Florida Police Department

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K-9 Unit

The Melbourne Police Department K-9 Unit employs police officers with specialized skills and highly trained K-9’s to support the department in meeting its law enforcement mission. The K-9 teams provide all the usual capabilities of patrol officers with the additional capabilities of the trained canine. These special skills enable K-9 teams to track and locate missing or wanted persons, locate evidence or lost property, apprehend fleeing or combative fugitives, and pinpoint hidden contraband or explosive devices.

K-9 Unit - Melbourne Florida Police Department

Annually these teams must demonstrate their proficiency to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to remain deployed as an operational asset. This requires constant training of the teams to maintain a high level of readiness, ensuring the citizens of Melbourne that each K-9 Unit is prepared for any eventuality.


The German Shepherd dog is the department’s choice for patrol K-9 operations, and is usually imported from Europe. The European breed is closely regulated, monitored, and developed for utilization as working dogs, whereas the American/German Shepherd's are highly regarded for their physical beauty. Because requirements for police K-9’s are high, the physical demands, intelligence, courage, and loyalty make most breeds unsuitable for police service. In addition to the law enforcement mission, the Melbourne Police K-9 Unit performs public demonstrations and visits to local schools and civic organizations. Civic Organizations may request demonstrations by contacting the Melbourne Police Department K-9 Supervisor.