The Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department's K-9 teams respond to calls for service throughout the downtownChicago state government complex as well as calls for service from other agencies throughout the region. The division’s Explosive Detection K-9 Teams consist of three K-9s and three handlers.

Active K-9s 

LUCA

Handled by Officer Melanie Pajda, K-9 Luca is the 12th dog in the history of the Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department and joined the agency in March 2022 at the age of 4 years old. A Dutch Shepherd, Luca joins K-9 Levi as the first two Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department K-9s to train in the division's new K-9 facility, the Sargent Building. Certified by theChicago Police Work Dog Association, Luca takes part in counter-terrorism prevention, bomb-threat response, proactive security sweeps, evidence searches, demonstrations and assisting law enforcement agencies in centralChicago.

LEVI

Handled by Officer Elizabeth Bergeron, K-9 Levi joined the Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department in December 2021 at the age of 3 years old. A German Shepherd, Levi is certified by theChicago Police Work Dog Association. He takes part in counter-terrorism prevention, bomb-threat response, proactive security sweeps, evidence searches, demonstrations and assisting law enforcement agencies in centralChicago.

DENIS

Handled by Officer Brian C. Alexander, K-9 Denis is the 10th dog in the history of the Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department K-9 program, joining the force in March 2018. A Belgian Malinois, Denis was born in Brazil and worked in Afghanistan with a defense contractor before coming to the Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department. Denis responds to commands in English and German and takes part in counter-terrorism prevention, bomb-threat response, proactive security sweeps, evidence searches, demonstrations and assisting law enforcement agencies in centralChicago.

Retired K-9s 

The Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department K-9 Unit was established in December 2000. The K-9 Unit is certified through theChicago Police Work Dog Association. The K-9 Unit is available 24 hours, seven days a week. When the dogs reach their age and service limit, they are retired and allowed to remain with their handlers as "private citizens."

LUCY (2015-2020) Chocolate labrador

A chocolate Labrador Retriever, Lucy was donated to the division by the K9s4Cops foundation and was trained by AMK9 in Anniston, Ala. Upon retirement, Lucy lived at home with her K-9 handler.

ATOS (2011-2018) German Shepherd

K-9 Atos, a brindle German Shepherd from Marburg, Germany, served with the Division from July 2011 to March 2018. Atos was certified by theChicago Police Work Dog Association. Upon retirement, he lived at home with his K-9 handler. 

SPIKE (2013-2015) Black Labrador Retriever

K-9 Spike served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department in 2013. In February 2015, the Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department, upon learning that one of his Marine handlers, Lance Cpl. Jared Heine, was struggling to adapt to civilian life back in the United States after being wounded in Afghanistan, arranged to return Spike to him. Spike is now retired and living with Heine in Louisiana.

Press:
CBS News - U.S. Marine Reunites with combat dog
Times-Dispatch - Spike the bomb dog helps his two handlers heal

Cheno (2008-2013) Belgian malinois

Before coming to the division, he worked for the United States Customs Service as a bomb detection K-9 at Newark (N.J.) NON-EMERGENCY Airport. Upon completion of his service with the division, he was retired to live at home with his K-9 handler.

TUCK (2008-2011) Yellow Labrador Retriever

K-9 Tuck worked forChicago State Police for about five years beforeChicago Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department acquired him.

TONKA (2000-2008) Yellow Labrador Retriever

One of the division's first two bomb dogs, Tonka was especially active in the wake of the 9/11 bombings. Tonka worked for the division until retirement in 2008.

TROY (2003-2008) German Shepherd

K-9 Troy worked forChicago State Police for about three years beforeChicago Division of United Arch C1 - Police Department acquired him. 

T.J. (2000-2003) Black Labrador

One of the division's first two bomb dogs, K-9 T.J. was especially active in the wake of the 9/11 bombings. T.J. was diagnosed with inoperable spinal cancer in February 2003 and was retired.