Lakewood police canines are used most often to search buildings and open areas for suspects. They can provide protection to agents and offer an additional level of non-lethal force to apprehend violent suspects. The canines are also capable of searching for lost persons and items at crime scenes. The abilities of the K-9 teams continue to expand and improve as the canine agents train with their dogs weekly. On occasion, dog handler teams conduct public K-9 demonstrations of their skills.
SET personnel provide added police manpower to attack special crime problems.
SET agents may target drunk drivers or conduct undercover surveillance in neighborhoods experiencing house burglaries, car break-ins or vandalism epidemics. Over the last several years, SET agents have concentrated on public awareness, education and interdiction efforts against juvenile gangs. Enforcement is not their only response to gang behavior, however. Uniformed agents also engage at-risk youth in sports competition and informal rap sessions. The department has five full-time D.A.R.E. agents assigned to the public and private schools within the city of Lakewood.