K9 Unit
Overview
Services
Important Notes
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 Unit is a specialized team of highly-trained canines and their handlers. Our K9 partners play a critical role in law enforcement, assisting in searches, apprehensions, drug detection, and community engagement.
Our Mission
The K9 Unit’s mission is to enhance public safety, deter crime, and support the department’s overall law enforcement efforts. Our K9 teams are deployed in various situations, leveraging their unique skills and senses to aid in investigations, track suspects, locate missing persons, and detect illegal substances.
Meet Our K9 Team
- Lt. Rose (Master K9 Trainer): Lt. Rose leads the K9 Unit and brings over 20 years of experience in K9 training and instruction. His expertise ensures the highest standards of training and performance for our K9 teams.
- Bogart (Bloodhound): Bogart is a highly-skilled tracking dog specializing in locating missing persons and following scent trails.
- Bali (Narcotics & Apprehension/Tracking): Bali is a dual-purpose K9 trained in narcotics detection and apprehension. She is also skilled in tracking suspects.
- Skubi (Narcotics & Tracking): Skubi is another dual-purpose K9 with expertise in narcotics detection and tracking.
- Axel (Explosive Detection): Axel is trained to detect explosives and plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of our community.
Community Engagement
The K9 Unit is actively involved in community outreach and educational events. We frequently visit schools and participate in demonstrations, educating children about the importance of K9s in law enforcement and promoting positive interactions between law enforcement and the community.
Training & Certification
Our K9 teams undergo rigorous training and are annually certified through the West Virginia Police Canine Association (WVPCA). This commitment to ongoing training ensures our K9s maintain their skills and perform at the highest proficiency levels.
Contact Us
For more information about the K9 Unit or to request a K9 demonstration, please contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.
Additional Resources
- West Virginia Police Canine Association (WVPCA): Learn more about the organization that certifies our K9 teams.
- National Police Canine Association (NPCA): Discover the national organization dedicated to promoting the use and development of police K9s.







Contact Us
Use the form below to reach out to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. Select the reason for your contact from the dropdown so your message can be received by the correct division.