For the last four weeks, the Bluffton Police Department’s two new K9s have been tirelessly training in North Carolina with their handlers, Officer DeLong and Officer Rodriguez.
Today, the dogs and officer’s initial training is complete, which means the teams will begin patrolling the streets of Bluffton this weekend.
Hunden and Officer Rodriguez will begin patrolling this afternoon, while Teeko and Officer DeLong will begin patrolling next week.
Hunden and Teeko are trained in many areas to include: narcotic detection, suspect tracking, suspect apprehension, and building searches.
“The department is very excited to have these K9s as another tool to protect and serve the Bluffton community,” said Bluffton Police Chief Joey Reynolds.
“The K-9's initial training is completed, and they will now live with the handlers and their families. This 24-hour contact with the dog allows the officers to consistently train in various aspects," said Lieutenant Joe Babkiewicz, who oversees the K9 Program.
While the K9s will be in rotation on patrol, they will train weekly, and periodically with other departments.
Here is Teeko followed by Hunden