Officer Chesney Griffin and K-9 Auzia (pronounced Oz-sha) 

K-9 Auzia is an eight year old police trained Belgian Malinois who came to the Police Department from a citizen who donated the animal to the department. K-9 Auzia is trained in narcotics detection and the team is certified with the United States Police Canine Association.  

Auzia and Officer Griffin work primarily with the Patrol Division and Street Crimes Unit.  

Auzia routinely goes to local schools and Housing Authority properties where she interacts with the students and residents while working with staff to keep these areas drug free. 

This canine team primarily assists other officers with narcotics searches at traffic stops and building searches. While off duty, Auzia enjoys wading in the lake, playing ball and running with her best friend, Sadie.

 Sgt. Robert Caudill and K-9 Larco 

K-9 Larco is the newest member of the Department's K-9 team. He is a two year old Belgian Malinois born in Holland. 

His initial basic police canine training in patrol functions and explosive detection was done locally in Northern Virginia. Larco and his handler then completed a rigorous 300 hour training course. This training enabled the team to certify with the North American Police Work Dog Association. 

This canine team works patrol while assisting officers at suspected traffic stops and finding suspects. They are utilized in conjunction with the department's Explosive Ordinance Device (E.O.D.) unit that responds to unusual packages and situations.  This team is also primary with searches at the Bristol Motor Speedway and other major events in the City. 

K-9 Larco's spends his leisure time on long walks in the woods and playing in the water at Steele Creek Park.

Officer Eric Sargent and K-9 Nytro 

K-9 Nytro is a six year old Belgian Malinois that was born in Holland and received his initial basic police canine training there. 

He is trained in narcotics detection and patrol functions that includes tracking, building searches and criminal apprehension. He routinely goes to local schools and Housing Authority properties assisting with narcotic searches. The team has been certified with the United States Police Canine Association (U.S.P.C.A.) since 2005. 

Officer Sargent and Nytro have garnered several U.S.P.C.A trial awards. They won 2^nd place overall novice in 2006, 1^st place in suspect search in 2006 and 2007 and 1^st place in narcotic detection in 2008.

This team has been very successful with several finds and apprehensions to their credit. They enjoy going to local schools and civic organizations and interacting with the public.

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Photos Courtesy of Malcolm J. Wilson and Bristol News Paper 
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