MIAMI — The Miami Police Department’s K-9 unit has five new teams now patrolling across Miami-Dade County.
The first dog is Dozer. His handler is Sgt. Ifante. He’s friendly — but when it’s time to work, he’ll work.
At the department’s K-9 training facility, 15 officer-and-dog teams wear badges and learn to trust each other without hesitation.
“They can detect explosives — our EOD dogs — we have narcotics dogs, we also have money dogs and gun dogs,” said Sgt. John Marin, training supervisor for the Miami PD K-9 unit.
It’s not all German Shepherds. The unit also works with Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds.
Not every dog makes it. Not every officer does either.
Right now, the dogs are being deployed for World Cup security. Officer Andy Magliano is the newest member of the unit. The partnership doesn’t end when the day does — handlers and dogs are together 24/7.
“We have to instill trust in the canine,” Magliano said. “And we have to have the same amount of trust in the canine and us.”
Local 10 News reporter Jeff Derderian suited up in the 15-to-20-pound bite suit — something that’s apparently never been done on camera with Miami PD before. When the command was given, the dog locked on.
On average, a K-9 stays on the job for eight years before it retires. The handler gets first shot at the dog. And they’re not rewarded with steak — they’re rewarded with toys. That’s what they love most.
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