The duty of a K9 Officer requires commitment to intense training and maintaining a devoted partnership between handler and K9. The bond between K9 and handler is essential for success during complex and adverse situations.

K9 Aaron, a sable German Shepherd, joined the Richton Park Police Department late 2016. Officer Ryan Dahlberg along with Aaron became the Police Department's new K9 Unit, completing a six week initial training course by the American Police K9 Association. Officer Dahlberg and Aaron are certified in obedience, area search, article search, tracking, building search, aggression control, and narcotics detection. Aaron is trained to detect and alert on several classifications of narcotics including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, meth-amphetamines, LSD, and ecstasy. In order to sustain adequate competency in these areas, the K9 Unit is required by state law to complete a minimum of 16 hours of progressive training monthly.

Devotion to a K9 Unit is a vigorous responsibility, but the gratification that accompanies it is unrivaled.