K-9 Teams

The Boaz Police Department now employs 2 K-9 Teams. This Unit consists of Officer Kris Williamson and his K-9 Basco and Officer Rusty Rowan and his K-9 Aries. These units are able to perform narcotics detection as well as tracking and article searches.

Basco was purchased with donations from the community, local businesses as well as funds from the City of Boaz.

Aries was purchased through a grant from the Boaz City School System.

We have a third K-9, Siska. She is currently without an official handler. We are currently in the process of reorganizing our K-9 units and She is being taken care of by Officer Williamson. Siska was purchased with donations and assistance from the area Civitans, the community, local businesses as well as funds from the City of Boaz.

These K-9s were purchased from and trained at Cross Creek K-9 Training Academy in Edgefield, SC. They were initially purchased from trainers in European countries who breed and select them for their specific role. The staff of Cross Creek then select from the available animals, the finest mission specific K-9s from the group. They then import the dogs and further train them at the academy and have them ready for the agencies to select from. After a decision is made by an agency to purchase a K-9, an officer from that department travels to the training academy to begin the process of becoming a certified handler. Here the officer and his K-9 become nothing less than friends and loyal partners. They each learn to trust the other and gain the necessary respect that it requires to be a successful and proficient K-9 Team.

This is just the beginning. Each team must undergo annual recertification as well as weekly training. A tremendous amount is expected from each team. They are proficient and eager to work. Many criminals have been apprehended and prosecuted due to their remarkable abilities.

 The Boaz Police Department is proud to offer the services of these K-9 Units to protect the Citizens of Boaz and the surrounding Communities.