North Port Police Department

Media Release

“Providing for a safe community”

Contact: Josh Taylor
Public Information Officer
(941) 740-2815
jtaylor@cityofnorthport.com
July 8th, 2015
Thank you for your interest in the North Port Police Department’s K-9 Unit. We are
dedicated to service and transparency, and have been happy to assist you over the past
several months with the nearly 39 extensive research requests which necessitated more
than 43 hours of records department staff time to compile. However, as you know, there
are pending legal actions relating to the K-9 unit which prohibit us from discussing
matters encompassed within your records request and investigation at this time.
Generally speaking though, we have reviewed all current legal authority and have found
our K-9 handlers and the animals upon which we rely to keep our community safe, to
have acted in accordance within the law and in keeping with best practices. As part of
our accreditation process, City of North Port Police Department K-9 policies are
continuously reviewed. In 2015 the NPPD received Excelsior Status for being accredited
15 years in a row. Only 17 police departments in the State of Florida have received such
recognition.
Our animals and handlers go through extensive training both via the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement Canine Team Certification and the United States Police Canine
Association, depending on the specific use of the canine. Since 2012 our K-9 teams have
received roughly two dozen awards and accolades from regional, state, and prestigious
national organizations, demonstrating their competence and professionalism. We can
provide a list of the accomplishments for your investigation if you would like.
K-9 usage by our Department is a result of the types of situations we encounter. North
Port has a much different terrain and demographics then even our immediate neighbors.
The tens of thousands of wooded lots are tempting to those who want to run from th e
law.

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A Florida Law Enforcement Accredited Agency.
NPPD - 709