The Canine Unit is assigned to the Field Operations Bureau and its primary purpose is to assist patrol officers, but they are available to assist any member of the Department with their expertise.

This is best accomplished by providing well-trained handler/canine teams.  The teams are trained to safely locate and take into custody suspects who have concealed themselves or refuse to surrender.

Two of the five teams are also trained in the detection of narcotics.  This training enables them to assist patrol and narcotics officers, as well as outside law enforcement agencies, in locating illegal drugs.

The canine unit trains their dogs at a variety of locations throughout the City of Santa Ana, including the Wheeler Canine Training Center at Santiago Park.  This facility has given the canine officers a facility unlike any other in Southern California.

The canine unit is always in need of a building to use to simulate real life searches for the dogs.  Local business owners often open their shops and warehouses for this purpose.  The canine officers are extremely grateful for this continuing partnership with the business community.