K-9s train to save lives, find suspects

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - Over the years, Hampton Police Division's K-9 Unit has been responsible for locating hundreds of criminals, but they are trained to do much more.

Recently, one dog found Candice Banks' body, a woman who had been missing for two weeks. Another dog helped uncover Michael Vick's dog fighting operation by sniffing drugs in the car of one of Vick's cousins in 2007.

"Every time the dog has a find, I always say it's like Christmas all over again," Master Police Officer Thomas Hendrickson said. "I don't care if it's a bullet shell or a person."

The 11-dog Hampton police force prepares just like the officers who handle them, training for real-life situations.

WAVY.com was given rare access to one of those training sessions, where dogs were tasked with findings drugs and suspects hidden in a home.

The exercises may seem a bit simple, but the hope is they pay off when people need them most.

"I've been working with dogs for 24 years," Hendrickson said. "I've caught criminals whatever the crime. My main focus is to find the little autistic child that's gotten away from home and needs to be saved."