K-9 Unit

The Edina Police Canine Unit consists of two teams. Officer Kevin Rofidal and Canine Kodiak began in 2002, with Officer Mike Seeger and Canine Diesel joining the unit in 2006. Both German Shepherd Dogs were imported from Europe to join their handlers. The basic handler course was 12 weeks and the narcotics detector course lasted three weeks. Both canine teams trained with the St. Paul Police Canine Unit. They train regularly with other canine units in the area. Their training meets the standards as set forth by the U.S. Police Canine Association.

Patrol Canines are trained for a variety of tasks:

• Agility
• Apprehension
• Article / Evidence searching
• Building Searches for hidden criminals
• Handler Protection
• Narcotics Detection
• Cocaine
• Crack Cocaine
• Heroin
• Marijuana
• Methamphetamines 
• Obedience
• Tracking for fleeing criminals or missing persons

Both canines competed in the National Detector Dog Trial May 18 & 19, 2007, in Cloquet, Minn. Kodiak and Officer Kevin Rofidal finished in 12th place, out of 98 dogs, with a score of 194.67 out of a possible 200. This is the second time Kodiak has achieved national certification. (The first time was time in 2003). Diesel and Officer Mike Seeger also did well, finishing with a score of 183. Trials involved searches of rooms and vehicles looking for cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana. Dogs and handlers came from all over the country.

To arrange for a demonstration, contact Sgt. Tom Draper, 952-826-1610.

The Edina K9 Unit trains regularly at the South Metro Public Safety Training Center. There are several pieces of K9 agility equipment and a tactical tower at the Training Center that are used for many different drills. The K9 teams from Edina train with many different agencies around the state as they hone their skills for street work and certification trials.

Special thanks to the Flying Cloud Animal Hospital and K9 Hydrotherapy for keeping our dogs healthy.