At the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, the K-9 Unit is essential for facility safety, contraband detection, and supporting nearby counties. “Our dogs are trained to detect what might go unnoticed by the human eye,” says K-9 Sgt. Zach Miller. “They help by targeting specific areas, allowing our officers to respond accurately.”The team patrols high-traffic areas to reduce contraband risk. Shifts are carefully rotated to keep dogs sharp – the K-9 Division includes six exceptional and hardworking dogs, each paired with a dedicated handler. Sergeant Miller and his Labrador, Jack, who specializes in narcotics detection and article search at Suffolk County Jail. Over at the Suffolk County House of Correction, Deputy Billy Jackson is paired with his Belgian Malinois, Ekho, and Daniel Fitzgibbons paired with his Belgian Malinois, Kano – both, focusing on narcotics and explosives detection. The K-9 Division is led by Lieutenant Corey Lewis, who is paired with Stuka; Deputy Richie Tran, paired with Hanzo; and Sergeant Mike Carbonneau, paired with Odin. Each brings diverse skills to the team, which is critical to overall safety. “It’s a lifelong learning experience,” Sgt. Miller said. “You’re always learning about your dog, pushing their limits, and making sure weaknesses don’t stay weaknesses.”