K9 Unit

The mission of the Darien Police Department’s K-9 Unit is to assist the Field Services Bureau in the prevention and detection of crime. This is accomplished by the use of trained canines in locating criminals, lost persons, evidence and illegal narcotics.

The Darien Police Department established a K-9 Unit in 2009, when the Department welcomed K-9 "Zulu" as a full-time addition to the Patrol Division. Zulu, a German shepherd who was born and raised in the Czech Republic, received training in obedience, tracking, and protection. Nicholas Aranzullo was selected to be the Department's first K-9 handler. After seven years of distinguished service, K-9 Zulu retired.

In 2016, Officer Leslie Silva and Officer Amanda Hinkley were selected as the Department’s newest K-9 officers, increasing the Unit to two K-9's. Officer Silva underwent training with her K-9 partner, "Grizzly," a chocolate lab trained in narcotics detection, while Officer Hinkley underwent training with her K-9 partner, "Argo," a dual purpose German Shepard trained in tracking and narcotics detection.

In 2017, Grizzly developed a rare form of bone cancer and passed away in May of that year.

Officer Silva welcomed her new partner, K-9 "Kenny" in June, 2017. Kenny is a yellow Labrador retriever named after fallen Officer Kenneth E. Bateman, Jr., who was killed in the line of duty on May 31, 1981. After 5 years of outstanding service to the Department, Kenny was retired in November, 2022 and now resides with Officer Silva, who recently transferred to the Detective Division.

K-9 Argo resides with his handler, Officer Hinkley and remains on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

K-9 abilities include:

• Locating lost or missing children/persons
• Evidence Recovery
• Narcotic Detection
• Building Searches
• Crime Deterrent
• Criminal Apprehension
• Officer Protection