WILLIAMSBURG — The James City County Police Department recently announced the formation of its first-ever K-9 Unit, including its first K-9 officers and handlers.
The addition of the two K-9 officers — a female Yellow Labrador Retriever and a male German Shorthaired Pointer — will strengthen the Department’s capabilities in narcotics detection and search and rescue missions, particularly in cases involving missing or endangered individuals, it said.
“We are confident that these invaluable K-9 officers will play a key role in enhancing and innovating public safety for our residents,” said Chief Mark Jamison.
According to the county, establishing the K-9 Unit was a collaborative effort involving officers, professional staff, and various county employees, adding that over the course of nearly a year, significant research and planning were dedicated to designing a program that would meet James City County’s specific needs. The initiative required extensive coordination in areas such as budgeting, resource management, and the acquisition of specialized equipment, and the support and expertise of surrounding agencies were instrumental in bringing the program to life, it added.
Selected to serve as the first K-9 handlers for the Department’s K-9 Unit are Officer Drew Crockett and Master Police Officer Ryan Ellis, who were paired with their K-9 partners on Oct. 3. Both officers will undergo comprehensive, specialized training with their K-9s, culminating in official certification at a later date.
The county noted that K-9 officers are vital investigative assets, offering unique abilities to detect narcotics, locate missing persons and assist in crime prevention efforts, adding their keen senses and specialized training make them indispensable in high-stakes situations that require skills beyond human capability.
The K-9s will also be community-involved members of the department, playing a visible role in community outreach and crime prevention events, it said.
The James City County Police Department will share updates on the K-9 Unit’s training progress in the coming months and introduce the new officers to the public. Currently, it is running a contest to name the new K-9 officers, which will be revealed on the department’s Facebook page.