The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is proud to introduce a groundbreaking addition to its law enforcement team – the first-ever Patrol K-9 Teams. This marks a significant expansion of the K-9 unit’s role, moving beyond its previous focus of only narcotics to now include critical duties in patrol and community safety.

The newly formed Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is comprised of two dynamic teams, both recently certified by the prestigious International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA). These teams have undergone an intensive 14-week training program, totaling 560 hours of education facilitated by Orchard Knoll in Angier, NC.

Our newly created K-9 teams consist of Lieutenant Greg Van Essendelft and K-9 Deputy Tinnus along with Lieutenant Linwood Waters and K-9 Deputy Athos. These Lieutenants have over 20 years of combined law enforcement experience at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The teams are proficient in various areas, including:

· Tracking and Finding: Trained to locate wanted criminals or missing persons in diverse environments, be it urban, rural, or wooded areas.

· Building Searches: Capable of searching all types of buildings to locate criminals in hiding.

· Evidence Retrieval: Skilled in searching for evidence or property associated with a crime.

· Drug Detection: Equipped to identify and locate illegal drugs, contributing to efforts to combat drug-related crimes.

· Apprehension: Trained to apprehend criminals attempting to escape arrest, particularly those who may be armed and dangerous.

· Deterrence and Backup: Serve as a deterrent and offer backup in perilous situations such as fights, riots, and disturbances.

· High-Profile Patrols: Conduct high-profile foot patrols in critical areas such as schools, shopping complexes, and parks.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is committed to serving and protecting the residents of Beaufort County through professional law enforcement practices.

“These Patrol K-9 Teams represent a milestone for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office,” “Their specialized training equips them to handle a wide range of situations, enhancing our ability to ensure public safety and protect our community.” “The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will continue to seek the best ways to protect our community by employing the best staff and seeking innovative tools and techniques.” stated Sheriff Scott Hammonds.