The present Richmond Police Department Canine Unit consists of four Canine Teams (Handler and Canine), one supervisor (coordinator) and one commander. Presently there are four Belgian Malinois in the unit. All the canines used by the Richmond Police Department are cross-trained in narcotics detection.
The Belgian Malinois breed has been used by the Richmond Police Department since 1988 when Officer D. Hembree was assigned Canine Lando as his partner. Officer D. Hembree has had the longest career in the unit. Until December 2010, Ofc Hembree was partnered with his third Belgian Malinois, Canine Maverick. He continues to work with the K9 Unit as a trainer.
Other notable handlers who had lengthy service in the unit were Officer G. Gibson (retired), Officer R. Smith (retired) ,Officer J. Hill (retired) and Officer W. Cantrell (retired). Both Officer Gibson and Officer Smith were in the unit over eight years. Officer Hill and Canine Nero were a team for more than eleven years as well as Officer Cantrell and Canine Arrow.
The Belgian Malinois breed and Dutch Shepherd breed has worked well with the Richmond Police Department Canine Unit. Both breeds have a long career span; they are very athletic, even-tempered and have a high play drive.