The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office K-9’s are assigned to the Field Operations Division and utilizes four multi-purpose dogs and two highly trained explosive detecting dogs. The purpose of the K-9 Unit is to provide the citizens of Mecklenburg County with highly trained and certified law enforcement dogs to detect explosives, apprehend fleeing suspects and detection of illegal drugs.

The multi-purpose patrol dogs are trained in multiple functions such as tracking, bite and apprehension, article, area and building search and narcotics detection of real drugs and illegal substances. The explosive detection dogs are specifically trained to detect the unique scent of different explosive materials. By the end of their training, explosive dogs can detect different combinations of explosive materials in trace samples and in bulk samples. We use these in and around the courthouse, government complex and throughout the city for large scale events at Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Arena, and the Convention Center just to name a few.

Each dog must be trained and certified and recertified annually in all trained skill sets. As handlers must be continuously trained in law enforcement, so must law enforcement dogs. Most of the training is conducted by the unit’s handlers and trainer on a continuous basis. The K-9 Unit also trains with other agencies and is often called for K-9 assistance by other local and Federal agencies.

Sheriff’s Office K-9 handlers are also required the maintain active memberships in Police K-9 Associations such as United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA) to ensure best practices and ongoing training and recertifications are properly documented and maintained.

All Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office K-9’s lives at home with their handlers and families when off duty. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit Administrator is Sergeant M. Bledsoe ; he can be contacted directly to request demonstrations or questions about our K-9 operation.

Patrol K9’s and Handlers

Deputy Stoop: K9 Barry

Master Deputy Stoop joined the K-9 unit in 2020. He is partnered with K9 Barry, a Dutch Shepherd from K2 Solutions in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Deputy Stoop and K9 Barry completed a six-week handler course at K2 Solutions and certified in Patrol/Narcotics from the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA). Deputy Stoop and K9 Barry are currently certified in Patrol/Narcotics with the United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA).

Deputy Elmendorf: K9 Eros

Deputy Elmendorf joined the K-9 Unit in 2017 and has worked with two K9 partners. K9 Nilz who retired in 2020 with Deputy Elmendorf and his current partner K9 Eros who is a three-year old German Shepard from K2 Solutions in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Deputy Elmendorf and Eros went through a six-week handler course and certified in Patrol/Narcotics with the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA) and the United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA). Deputy Elmendorf is also the current trainer for the K9 Units patrol dogs having certified as a trainer at Ventosa Kennels in 2024.

K9 Sly

K9 Sly is a Belgian Malinois from K2 Solutions in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Most recently partnered with Sgt. Bledsoe, K9 Sly was certified in Patrol/Narcotics from the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA) and in Patrol/Narcotics through the United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA). K9 Sly will be reassigned in 2024 to a new handler.

Explosive K9’s and Handlers

Deputy Sage: K9 Hidi

Deputy Sage has been with the K-9 unit since 2018 and has worked with two K9 partners. K9 Jojo was an Explosive Odor Detection Labrador Retriever from K2 Solutions in Southern Pines, North Carolina. In 2024, K9 Jojo retired with Deputy Sage. Deputy Sage was partnered with K9 Hidi, a 2- year-old Belgian Malinois from Ventosa Kennels in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Deputy Sage and Hidi attended a 4-week handler course and certified through Ventosa in explosive odor detection. Deputy Sage is also the current trainer for the K9 Units Explosive Odor Detection teams having certified as a trainer at Ventosa Kennels in 2024.

Deputy Tuomey: K9 Ela

Deputy Tuomey has been with the K-9 Unit since 2020 and has worked with two K9 partners. K9 Aggie was an Explosive Odor Detection Labrador Retriever from K2 Solutions in Southern Pines, North Carolina. In 2024, K9 Aggie retired with Deputy Tuomey. Deputy Tuomey was partnered with K9 Hidi, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois from Ventosa Kennels in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Deputy Tuomey and Hidi attended a 4-week handler course and certified through Ventosa in explosive odor detection.

CONTACT INFORMATION
The Canine Unit Supervisor: Sergeant M. Bledsoe
Office: (980) 314-5919