The HTPD K9 unit was established in 2012 and originally consisted of 4 officers. Today the team consists of 4 officers and K9s, a number which allows the team to provide 24/7 coverage to Haverford Township. The Haverford Police K-9 Unit operates within the Patrol Division of the police department. These teams are certified in narcotics detection and patrol related activities.




Meet our K9 Teams!




Retired K9s


K-9 Ofc. Barr

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05/17/2013 - 11/10/2022

K-9 Ofc. Jager

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04/15/2013 - 05/20/2015

K-9 Ofc. Jango

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01/01/2013 - 11/30/202023

K-9 Ofc. Kato

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05/17/2013 - 06/26/2020

K-9 Ofc. Nitro

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10/15/2012 - 02/11/2013


K-9 Ofc. Axel & Officer McDermott


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K9 Axel, a Belgian Malinois, was born in Holland in 2014. He was acquired by the HTPD in 2015 and is partnered with Officer McDermott. K9 Axel received his initial training at Shallows Creek Kennels and is dual trained in patrol related activities & narcotics detection. As Axel has mature over the years, he really enjoys the meet and greets while on duty! When not at work, Axel loves playing in his background yard with his family.

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Ret. K-9 Ofc. Barr & Ofc. Valvardi


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K9 Barr, a German Shepherd, was born in the Czech Republic in 2012. He was acquired by the HTPD in May of 2013 and is partnered with Ofc. Valvardi. K9 Barr received his initial training at Castle K9 in Mechanicsburg, PA. Barr is certified through the North American police working dog association, and is trained in patrol work and narcotics detection. He loves conducting narcotic searches of vehicles. When not at work, Barr loves to sit down with a large variety of chew toys and pull them out one by one from his play box.  K9 Barr retired after 9 years of service on 11/10/2022. Thank you for your service Barr! Enjoy retirement.

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K-9 Ofc. Bodhi & Ofc. McLaughlin


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K9 Bodhi, a Belgian Malinois, was born in Poland in 2019. He was acquired by the HTPD in 2021 and is partnered with Ofc.McLaughlin. K9 Bodhi received his initial training at Shallows Creek Kennel and is trained in dual purpose-patrol and narcotics detection. Bodhi loves to train and play fetch. When not at work, Bodhi loves going for runs and swimming at the beach.

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K-9 Ofc. Jango & Ofc. Linker


K9 Jango is the second Police K9 employed by the Haverford Twp Police Department. Jango was born on 3/7/2012. He is a mix Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd. Jango began his training with Ofc Linker on 3/1/2013. For the next 10 years they would be known as 73-K2.
Ofc. Douglas Linker and K9 Jango were certified according the North American Police Working Dog Associations standards, by Castle’s K9 Inc. in April 2013. Ofc. Linker and Jango have maintained a yearly certification since April 2013. Jango is trained and certified in Patrol and Narcotics detection. Training and proficiency assessments are conducted periodically, typically monthly, between each certification. Over the course of their 10 years together 73-K2 has handled several notable incidents:

  • June- 2014
  • 73-K2 responded to the area of Maryland and Roosevelt to search for suspects of a bank robbery that just occurred at the Santander Bank. A perimeter was quickly set up and Ofc. Linker and Jango focused on an area of shrubbery. After giving commands, the suspect did surrender and was taken into custody without incident.
  • May- 2016
  • Following an armed robbery that just occurred in the area of Grasslyn and Eagle, and subsequent foot pursuit of the suspects by Marple Police, 73-K2 responded to West Chester Pike and New Ardmore. Jango was deployed conducting a track for the suspect. During the track Jango did locate a black athletic sock containing a handgun. A second search was conducted in the area where Marple had apprehend a suspect. During this search a second handgun was located.
  • August-2018
  • 73-K2 was dispatched to Upper Darby to assist with a narcotic search of a residence. As a result of the search K9 Jango indicated on several locations resulting in the seizure of approximately 8 lbs of suspected methamphetamines.
  • October-2019
  • 73-K2 was dispatched to 826 Aubrey for an interrupted burglary. Jango was deployed and conducted a track leading to the front door of a residence at 852 Aubrey. Contact was made with a resident inside 852 Aubrey and a suspect was taken into custody.
  • December-2022
  • While conducting a traffic stop for suspected mail theft, Ofc. McGibney reported the suspect vehicle to be fleeing and he was in pursuit. After a brief pursuit the suspect vehicle crashed on Karakung Drive. Upon 73-K2’s arrival, Jango was deployed to search for 2 subjects who fled from the vehicle. Jango did conduct a positive track which pushed the suspects into Lower Merion Township where they were taken into custody by LMPD who were in the area to assist.
  • May 2023
  • At the request of Upper Darby Police 73-K2 responded to West Chester Pike and Keystone. Jango was deployed on a track for a suspect in an alley. While conducting the search Jango pulled towards a parked van. Ofc. Linker immediately observed the suspects feet under the van. Upper Darby Police took the suspect into custody without incident.
    Jango and Officer Linker and have worked together for over 10 years. As of Nov. 30, 2023, K9 Jango has been deployed on the following incidents:
    1. Tracking – 55
    2. Building Searches – 59
    3. Area Searches – 23
    4. Narcotics Sniff/Search – 120
    5. Other – 23

    After 10 years of service, over 19,000 hours of training, Jango has earned a well-deserved rest. It may take him a while to adjust to Doug going to work without him, but he can now enjoy being a single purpose k9. That sole purpose is family pet. Enjoy your retirement.

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    K-9 Ofc. Winnie & Officer Patterson


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    K9 Winnie, a black Labrador Retriever, was born 3/7/21. She was acquired from Pacific Coast K9 in 2023 and is partnered with Ofc. Patterson. K9 Winnie graduated the Iron Rose K9 academy June 2023 and is trained in single purpose narcotics detection. While at work she loves to use her nose and play hide and seek. K9 Winnie especially loves to play fetch and swim in the water on her days off.

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