The Sheriff’s K-9 team provides specialized law enforcement in the patrol environment by assisting in situations where the safety of officers or the general public is at risk.

The unit was established in May 1986 with one dog and a deputy handler. It has now grown to six full-time German shepherd dog teams.

The teams are stationed in Ventura, Fillmore, Ojai, Camarillo, Moorpark, and Thousand Oaks. All of the teams are cross-trained in narcotics detection. All teams are on call 24 hours a day.

The K-9 teams participate in a regularly scheduled weekly training program. K-9 patrol teams are routinely used in various high-risk situations as building and open area searches, tracking of suspects, and evidence location.

The K-9 unit recently added a seventh K-9 team with a narcotics detection trained black Labrador, assigned specifically to Detention Services. The teams are very popular participants in various public demonstrations. Like no other program within the Sheriff’s Department, the K-9 unit is proudly funded by donations from the communities we serve.