According to an announcement from local law enforcement, K9 units from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) are among the first in Washington state to be certified to detect fentanyl.
The certification, awarded to six K9 teams on September 15, is part of efforts to combat the ongoing opioid crisis.
These K9 units from WCSO, BPD, Marysville Police Department and Anacortes Police Department are now trained to detect fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid that has fueled the nationwide opioid epidemic.
Training and certification from the Criminal Justice Training Commission in Marysville allows these K9 teams to meet the highest standards in drug detection, making them best equipped to intercept fentanyl in the community.
The new capabilities come at a crucial time in the region’s ongoing battle against opioid deaths.
“We are proud to be among the pioneers in meeting these new standards,” said Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley. “Certifying our canine units is part of our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and promote public safety.”
Bellingham Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig agreed, emphasizing the importance of the new certification in saving lives.
“I am proud of all of our regional K9 handlers and their partners for becoming certified so quickly under this new legislation,” she said.
