The K9 Unit was established in October 2022 and became fully operational in early January 2023, after the handlers finished their training and obtained certifications. The team is overseen by Sergeant Matthew Shockey and currently consists of two certified K9 units. Both K9s have received training in dual purposes, specifically patrol work and narcotics detection. Every Wednesday, the SLPD K9 teams engage in training sessions according to their schedule. These sessions involve collaboration with K9 teams from other law enforcement agencies, including the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri City PD, and Rosenberg PD. Additionally, the handlers are expected to allocate a portion of each shift for training with their K9s, continuously honing their skills and abilities. In the previous year, both handlers dedicated approximately 450 hours to training with their K9s, in addition to attending specialized training courses. The K9s themselves are half-brothers who were imported from Poland, with Marcel being a few months older.
