Dogs are commonly referred to as “man’s best friend.” When those men are police officers, an elite group of canines are employed to provide law enforcement personnel with an additional set of skills and expertise.

This week, the Indiana State Police released statistics from its K-9 program, showing what kind of apprehensions the dogs have made and how useful they are out in the field. According to program coordinator and ISP Sgt. Tony Knox, the state’s 30 handlers and their partners assigned statewide accounted a large number of apprehensions, drug busts and cash seizures since Jan. 1, 2009.

The K-9 units all over the state assisted in: 1,446 searches; 696 arrests; 111 tracks; 48 apprehensions; 566 assists; 712.4 pounds of marijuana seizures; 49.2 pounds of cocaine seizures; 13.8 pounds of meth seizures; 8 pounds of heroin seizures; and $697,815 in total cash seizures during the year thus far.

Among the ISP’s 30 K-9 teams, Tpr. Chris Richey and his partner Heiko, a German Shepherd, are assigned to the Versailles District, which includes Decatur County, Dearborn County, Jefferson County, Ohio County, Ripley County and Switzerland County.

“The Indiana State Police is committed to the use of its K-9 program as a valuable asset to the public and other law enforcement agencies in addressing crimes and offenders with diligent, conscientious and proactive initiatives,” ISP Sgt. Noel Houze explained.

Searches - 1446

Arrests - 696

Tracks - 111

Apprehensions - 48

Assists for other agencies - 566

Marijuana seizures (pounds) - 712.4

Cocaine seizures (pounds) - 49.2

Meth seizures (pounds) - 13.8