The Canine section of the Martinsburg Police Department was established in 1977. When the unit was established three dedicated officers and their canine units attended training in Baltimore Maryland for eighteen weeks of intense training.
This type of training continues even today under the training guidelines of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). Today, our officers and their canine units attend a (14) week patrol training session, along with an additional (7) week narcotics training session.
Our canine units are trained in tracking, building searches, evidence recovery and criminal apprehension. Our canine units have also been trained to locate (10) different types of illegal and dangerous narcotics.
Throughout the year our canine unit participates in canine trials hosted by the USPCA. Throughout the past several years, members of our canine unit have received top awards while competing with other members of the USPCA. K-9 Dojan, was the first canine with our agency to receive the Triple Crown Award from the USPCA. This is the highest award any canine team can receive.
In addition to serving the citizens of Martinsburg and Berkeley County, our canine units also serve the citizens of Jefferson and Morgan Counties when we are called for assistance.
