K9 Unit

The mission of the Darien Police Department’s K-9 Unit is to assist the Field Services Bureau in the prevention and detection of crime. This is accomplished by the use of trained canines in locating criminals, lost persons, evidence and illegal narcotics.

The Darien Police Department established a K-9 Unit in 2009, when it welcomed K-9 "Zulu" as a full-time addition to the Patrol Division. Zulu, a German shepherd who was born in the Czech Republic, received training in obedience, tracking, and protection. After seven years of distinguished service, K-9 Zulu was retired.

In 2016, the unit saw the addition of a second K-9, "Grizzly," a chocolate lab trained in narcotics detection, while K-9 "Argo," a dual purpose German Shepard was trained in tracking and narcotics detection. In 2017, Grizzly developed a rare illness and passed away in May of that year.

The Department welcomed K-9 "Kenny" in June 2017, a yellow Labrador retriever named after fallen Officer Kenneth E. Bateman, Jr., who was killed in the line of duty on May 31, 1981. After 5 years of outstanding service to the Department, Kenny was retired in November 2022. After ten years of distinguished service, K-9 Argo was retired in June 2026.

The Department now has K-9 "Ranger", a German shepherd with handler, Officer Neil Nair. Ranger is trained in the following disciplines: 

• Locating lost or missing children/persons
• Evidence Recovery
• Narcotic Detection
• Building Searches
• Crime Deterrence
• Criminal Apprehension
• Officer Protection