The Vancouver Police Department K9 teams work out of the patrol division. A team may also work with the SW Washington Regional SWAT Team, depending on their training. K9’s may be certified in patrol and narcotic detection.

Many Vancouver Police K9’s are purchased using donations to the Vancouver Police Department K9 Fund. For information on the K9 fund contact the Vancouver Police Department.

Vancouver Police Sergeant Ryan Starbuck and K9 Tex

Sergeant Starbuck started in the K9 unit with his first partner, K9 Ory, in 2012. K9 Ory was medically retired in 2013. Sergeant Starbuck was assigned a new K9 partner, Ivar in 2013. In May 2021, K9 Ivar retired. In July 2021, Sergeant Starbuck was assigned K9 partner, Tex. They worked together from July 2021-August 2022.  Sergeant Starbuck was transferred to patrol and K9 Tex transferred to another K9 handler from December 2022-August 2023. Due to personnel changes in the K9 unit, K9 Tex was reassigned back to Sergeant Starbuck in August 2023.

Vancouver Police Corporal William Pardue and K9 Oso

Corporal Pardue was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in 1997. Corporal Pardue’s K9 partner Oso is a German Shepherd from the Czech Republic. They have completed 600 hours of training and are dual certified in patrol and detection. They went into service in 2018.

Vancouver Police Officer Sean Suarez and K9 Midas 

Officer Suarez was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in 2015. Officer Suarez’s K9 partner Midas is a German Shepherd from Slovakia. They have completed 600 hours of training and are dual certified in patrol and detection. They went into service in 2021.

Vancouver Police Officer Katherine Grose and K9 Red

Officer Katherine Grose was hired by VPD in 2020. Her K9 partner, Red is an 18-month-old German Shepherd from Hungary K9 Red came from Hungary. They went into service in 2024.

Vancouver Police Officer Jason Haigwood and K9 Remi

Officer Jason Haigwood was hired by VPD in 2019. K9 Remi is a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois that was born in Slovakia. He previously served the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office before coming to VPD. They went into service in 2024.