Emergency Number: 9-1-1

    Non-Emergency Number: (706) 866-2512

   900 City Hall Drive, GA 30742

Fort Oglethorpe Police Department: K9 Unit

Enhancing Public Safety Through Specialized K9 Operations

The Fort Oglethorpe Police Department Canine Unit is a specialized component of the Patrol Division. Established to enhance law enforcement capabilities, the unit is utilized to deter the possession of illegal narcotics, locate suspects or missing persons, and build cooperative relationships within the community. Each canine team is comprised of a sworn officer and a highly trained canine partner, working together to provide reliable support to Fort Oglethorpe and surrounding jurisdictions.

Operational Capabilities

The Canine Unit provides the department with advanced search and detection capabilities:

  • Narcotics Detection: Teams are trained to locate controlled substances including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

  • Passive Alert Training: Our canines utilize passive alert and source-oriented methods to indicate the presence of narcotics.

  • Tracking & Location: Canine teams assist in locating fleeing suspects or missing persons by tracking scents and securing perimeters.

  • School Safety: Teams may conduct patrols on school property in Catoosa County to ensure the security of students and faculty.

Professional Standards & Training

To maintain departmental excellence, all canine teams must adhere to strict training and certification protocols:

  • Mandatory Training: Teams complete a minimum of 16 hours of in-service maintenance training every month.

  • Annual Certification: Every team must maintain annual certification through a nationally or internationally recognized certifying agency to remain on active-duty status.

  • Operational Readiness: Canines are subject to annual medical examinations and daily inspections by their handlers to ensure peak physical condition and health.

  • Officer Requirements: Handlers are responsible for all aspects of the canine’s care, including grooming, sanitation, and the administration of medical requirements.

Public Interaction & Safety

For the safety of the public and the efficiency of the working dog, we ask citizens to observe the following departmental protocols:

  • Authorization Required: Members of the public must only interact with a canine in the presence of and with the express permission of the handler.

  • Maintain Distance: To prevent interference with law enforcement operations, citizens should never tease or act aggressively toward a canine team.

  • Tactical Situations: In any environment where a canine is working, the public must comply with all directions given by the handler.

Fort Oglethorpe Police Department

900 City Hall Drive
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

Non-Emergency

(706) 866-2512

Emergency

9-1-1

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