The K-9 Unit is part of the Special Operations Division and currently deploys two K-9 teams, which is the K-9 and its handler. The purpose of the K-9 Unit is to provide the citizens of Carteret County with trained police service dogs to help locate illegal drugs, apprehend fleeing felons, and find lost/missing persons. Because of the dog's superior sense of smell, hearing and physical capabilities, The trained law enforcement K-9 is a valuable supplement to law enforcement. Each dog has proven on numerous occasions to be an asset to the department and the community as a whole.
Each dog must be trained and certified/re-certified in all trained skill sets. As deputies must be continuously trained in law enforcement, so must police dogs. Most of the training is conducted by the unit's handlers and trainer several times a week.