The first Dartmouth Police K-9 “Sarge”, a Rhodesian Ridge-back, graduated from the Boston Police K-9 Training in 1974. His handler at the time was Sgt. Stephen Soares, who later became the Chief of Police of Dartmouth.

Thus began a long tradition of a working K-9 Unit within our department. “Sarge” was retired in 1980 and Officers Kenneth Vincent & Fred Maranhas became the first full time K-9 Officers for the department, marking for the first time, two full time K-9 Units working a scheduled shift in the department.

Currently, the K-9 Unit is headed Lt. Gary Soares, brother of former Chief Stephen Soares. The Dartmouth Police K-9 unit currently consists of 3 dogs, and their handlers, listed below.