The Asheville Police Department (APD) K-9 unit is one “ruff” division. But seriously, all jokes aside, these K9s and their partners provide a valuable service to our community. They help keep drugs off the streets, track suspects, and find missing people. On top of all that, they keep our police officers safe! Not just any dog can be a K9 officer. These dogs are specially chosen and endure an intensive training process along with their handlers. The entire K9 Unit convenes for training sessions monthly.
Here’s a look at the team!
K9 Officer: Yago
Handler: Senior Police Officer Scott Muse, Head K9 Trainer
K9 Officer Yago is a Belgian Malinois who was born in Holland. Yago is 7 years old and trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. Yago loves to play with Officer Muse’s pet beagle and relax with his toy stuffed frog at night.
Officer Muse has been with APD since 2001 and a K9 handler since 2006. He is in charge of training new handlers, new dogs, and runs the monthly K9 training for all the dog teams.
K9 Officer: Rambo
Handler: Senior Police Officer Liz Rice, Explosives Detection Handler
K9 Officer Rambo, a 2-year-old German Shepard, was born in Germany. Rambo is trained in obedience, agility, explosives detection, tracking, and article searches. When he’s not on shift, Rambo likes to relax in his kennel.
Officer Rice has been with APD since 2006 and an explosive detection dog handler since 2015.
K9 Officer: Macho
Handler: Senior Police Officer Ben Green
K9 Officer Macho is a 2-year-old German Shepherd from Germany. Macho is trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. When not on duty, Macho enjoys going on walks with Officer Green and playing fetch.
Officer Green has been with APD since 2013 and a patrol dog handler since 2018.
K9 Officer: Bolo
Handler: Senior Police Officer Nathanial Smith
K9 Officer Bolo is a 2-year-old German Shepherd from Germany. Bolo is trained in obedience, agility, explosives detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. Bolo enjoys spending time with his family and playing with his toy ball when he’s off duty.
Officer Smith has been with APD since 2015 and an explosive detection K9 handler since 2018.
K9 Officer: Django
Handler: Senior Police Officer Doug Williams
K9 Officer Django, a 2-year-old German Shepherd from Germany, is trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. When off duty, Django enjoys naps in the sunshine and jumping like a kangaroo.
Officer Williams has been with APD since 2014 and a patrol dog handler since 2018.
K9 Officer: Zar
Handler: Senior Police Officer Spencer Brunkhorst
K9 Officer Zar is a 7-year-old German Shepherd from Germany. Zar is trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. When he’s not working, Zar enjoys playing with his ball and relaxing at home with Officer Brunkhorst.
Officer Brunkhorst has been with APD since 2013 and is currently in basic K9 handler school.
K9 Officer: Boss
Handler: Officer Michael Sorensen
K9 Officer Boss is a 7-year-old German Shepherd from Germany. Boss is trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. At home, Boss enjoys spending time with his new family and playing with his ball.
Officer Sorensen has been with APD since 2016 and is currently in basic K9 handler school.
K9 Officer: Xander
Handler: Officer Andrew Mazeika
K9 Officer Xander is a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois from Holland. Xander is trained in obedience, agility, narcotics detection, article searches, tracking, suspect searches, and handler protection. Xander enjoys running in circles and letting everyone pet him.
Officer Mazeika has been with APD since 2016 and is currently in basic K9 handler school.