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North Bay Village Police reintroduce K‑9 program; officers honored for major robbery arrest
Summary
The North Bay Village Police Department reintroduced two K‑9 teams funded in part by private donations, and recognized four officers for their investigative work in a robbery that recovered $160,000 in jewelry and a recovered firearm.
The North Bay Village Commission joined police leaders and residents to welcome the department’s newly restored K‑9 unit and to honor officers involved in a high‑profile robbery investigation.
Police leadership introduced Officer Chris Guzman and his canine partner Drax, and Officer Stevens and K‑9 Atlas. Chief (unnamed) said the department lost its canine capability last year but reinstated the program after hiring two handlers and receiving $30,000 in donated support for training and equipment. "We got $30,000 in dog, okay, donated to us and they're up and running," the chief said during the presentation.
The department also recognized Sergeant Roland Benitez, Detective Hubert Molina, Detective Lavonne Palacio and Officer Hairo Burrell as officers of the quarter. The chief described a December robbery investigation that recovered approximately $160,000 in stolen jewelry and a firearm, involved a coordinated response with Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office marine patrol and produced arrests of suspects alleged to have traveled from out of state.
Commissioners thanked officers for their professionalism and said the restored K‑9 capability will expand the department’s narcotics and apprehension efforts while helping patrol the causeway.
The commission asked staff to coordinate public introductions and logistics for the new teams so residents could meet the canines without compromising training or safety.
