At this time, our only special operations team is our K9 Unit. Mount Sterling has been presented with a unique opportunity, and is able to provide this resource at no cost to the village. The handler owns a Police K9 Training Center, and has donated the use of the dog, as well as the cruiser, equipment, and all other material needed to establish this unit. He is also an unpaid reserve officer, so everything is completely free to the community. The officer has been a police K9 handler since 1997, and has served on large and small departments, served on large drug task force, and is recognized as a national instructor in drug interdiction, canine operations, and search & seizure case law. We are very fortinuate to have this asset at no cost. We estimate the value of this donation in excess of $30,000. We are currently asking for donations to offset costs, and try to build a fund to maintain this program.

K9 Gunner is a dual purpose police canine. Gunner is who is on duty as a primary patrol dog. Gunner holds a state certification, as well as a national certification in narcotics and patrol. The narcotics he is trained to detect are marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, and meth. The patrol duties he is trained in are area search, building search, tracking, apprenshion, and handler protection.

K9 Duke is a scent descrimination bloodhound. Duke is available for call outs from the handlers home, to respond to, missing children, or any missing person, escape prisoners. The bloodhound is capable of working tracks which are contaminated, or too old for a ground disturbance dog to work.