CRESTVIEW — An 8-year old rescued Labrador retriever now serves as a narcotics detection K9 for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office's Youth Services Division.
K9 “Kilo," who’s been with the OCSO about six years, most recently worked with the Street Crimes Unit. Now, he and Deputy Mark Nucci will strive to keep drugs out of Okaloosa schools.
Throughout the school year, they will check classrooms, lockers and parking lots to detect illegal drugs.
But Nucci said “Kilo’s” presence should actually act as a deterrent to drugs on school grounds, because students will never know which schools or event the K9 team will show up at on any given day.
“In addition to narcotics detection duties, K9 'Kilo' is also a good natured ambassador for the OCSO," Sheriff Larry Ashley, also a former K9 handler, said. "He will help forge stronger bonds between deputies and students of all ages and backgrounds, one of our major goals for building positive relationships throughout our community."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sheriff's office K9 now working at schools