The Redwood City Police Department Canine Unit has four teams. All four dogs are purebred German Shepherds and are imported from Germany. Each dog goes through a battery of tests and hundreds of hours of training before being certified for patrol. The dogs and handlers also participate in intensive on-going training to maintain and enhance the teams’ skills.

Handlers typically deploy their canine partners in situations where a violent suspect is fleeing from police, or in cases where officers believe a suspect may be hiding inside a building or home. The dogs’ speed, agility, and heightened sense of smell make them a powerful tool in apprehending dangerous criminals.

The Canine Unit is supported by public donations and is available for demonstrations.
     
   
  Largo is 6 years old as of August and has been on the streets for 3 years. He was trained in Germany for the first three years of his life and now trains with Officer Farley 3 hours every two weeks. He is trained in protection, searching and narcotics detection. Officer Farley has been a Redwood City Police Officer for 8 years.

"Bacchus vom Weinland Baden" was born in May 11, 1997 in Germany near the Switzerland border. In Roman mythology, "Bacchus" means "The god of wine." Bacchus was brought into the United States by Tyson Kennel in January 15,1999.

At that date, Officer Mike Kennedy took possession of Bacchus and both went through the K-9 Training program. Officer Kennedy had Bacchus until December of 2001, when Officer Kennedy had to medically retire out. On February 04, 2002, Bacchus became Officer Unga's new partner. They work, train and play together.