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K-9 Unit

Main Phone: (775) 328-3350

Lieutenant Darin Balaam

K-9 Detail

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office implemented a full-time canine detail in 1995. Throughout the years the detail increased in size to ten patrol dogs that augmented both the Detention Bureau as well as the Patrol Division. Currently the detail has six canines, three teams assigned to the Reno Patrol Division, two teams assigned to the Incline Village Sub Station, located at Lake Tahoe and one team assigned to the Gerlach area.

The Canine Detail’s primary mission is to make the Patrol Officer’s job safer.  If a suspect actively attempts to evade arrest by hiding or concealing him/herself, poses a threat to the public in general and/or has caused harm to someone, the canine can be deployed.  The canine can be used as a tracking took on narcotic searches or to apprehend the suspects.

All six canines are trained in basic German commands that are common to most law enforcement canines. Each canine is cross trained in Patrol and Narcotics.  The patrol training focuses on training and certification of the canine to protect its handler, conduct building and outdoor area searches and to be proficient in locating evidence and contraband such as firearms, blood stained clothing, and other objects.  The narcotics training foster the ability of the canine to detect the odors of drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. 

Two of the canines are assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T.). During a S.W.A.T. deployment, the canines can be used on point to search for human scent in open area searches, conduct building searches, clear attics and crawl spaces, search and clear areas filled with a large amount of debris and to maintain security perimeters. A S.W.A.T canine can also be utilized as a distraction when dealing with a suicidal subject.

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