The Satellite Beach Police Department currently has one police K-9.  Handler Sergeant Darren Frost and "Flex" make up the department's K-9 team.  The department imported Flex, a 90-pound German Shepherd, from Germany in 2003.  Flex began his work as a Police K-9 in January of 2004.

Flex and Sergeant Frost are certified as a K-9 patrol team through the  Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  They have also have successfully completed a 160-hour drug detection course through the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  Additionally Flex and his handler are certified by the North American Police Working Dog Association.

Flex has many skills that make him a valuable tool for law enforcement.

TRACKING – Flex uses his heightened sense of smell to detect the path of fleeing criminals or missing children/adults.  Flex uses a combination of the sent of the individual and also the disturbed ground sent a person makes when they step.  He can track across many surfaces to include concrete, grass, sand, and gravel. 

CRIMINAL APPREHENSION – In the rare circumstance of a fleeing felon or violent individual refusing to surrender to law enforcement, Flex is trained to physically apprehend suspects and render them into submission for law enforcement to take them into custody. 

BUILDING SEARCHES – Flex can enter a building and search it for an intruder in a fraction of the time it would take Police Officers. 

AREA SEARCH – Flex can search large areas for suspects and locate them using his heightened sense of smell.

DRUG SEARCHES – Flex is trained to detect the odor of illegal narcotics.  Flex is an extremely important tool in the fight against drugs in our community.  When flex indicates to the odor of narcotics it gives law enforcement probable cause to search.  Flex has been very successful and accurate in his first year and has been responsible for numerous drug arrests. 

Safety - Flex is considered a Police Officer and has his own equipment issued by the Police Department.  He has a special patrol car that is set up to ensure his safety and comfort.  The patrol car has its windows tinted to help minimize the heat; it also has a temperature alarm that activates the patrol car lights and siren if the temperature goes above 87 degrees.  If the temperature should rise above 87 degrees the back windows would automatically roll down and activate a fan that’s mounted in one of the rear windows. The fan moves enough air to cool the interior compartment 15 degrees within 20 seconds.

The patrol car has a special cage built into it for Flex; it has a rubber mat and is ergonomically designed for comfort and safety.  The cage has a water dish that allows flex to stay hydrated throughout his shift.  The patrol car also has additional lights on it to maximize its visibility.  Flex has his own bulletproof vest as well as his own police badge.  He receives his department physical once a year through Dr. Fuller’s veterinarian office in Indian Harbour Beach.

The Satellite Beach Police Departments K-9 program is committed to serving its community and providing the highest quality of service to its citizens. The mere presence of a K-9 in our community will deter crime and will continue to make this one of the safest communities in which to live in Florida.