Canine Unit | Cleves Police Department

The Canine Unit

The purpose of the Canine Unit is to address the increase in heroin overdoses within the village. The unit works in collaboration with the Drug Team who searches cars and houses for drugs.

Bear is a two year old Eastern Shephard/Labrador. He's a certified Canine Officer by the State of Ohio since May of 2008. Bear was trained for two days a month for six months in order to qualify for certification. His field of expertise is in Methamphetamines, Heroin, Cocaine and Marijuana. As of May 2009, Bear has assisted in over 73 arrests since becoming certified.

The canine unit consists of 2 - 3 plain clothes officers and 1 -2 marked cars. The unit works and assists other jurisdictions located in Western Hamilton County.

Bear's uniform consists of a bullet and knife proof vest that was donated in partnership with The Matt Haverkamp Foundation and Force One. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides local police departments with trained dogs including their vests.