The Lakeway Police Department K-9 Program was established in 2013 with the addition of K-9 "Orka", who was donated to the department by the Austin Police Department. From that point, the program was expanded with the addition of K-9 "Cory" who was purchased and trained with the financial assistance of the Lakeway Police Foundation. Both K-9s and their respective handlers were trained and certified by the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association in the detection of various narcotics including, but not limited to: cocain, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin. The K-9s also received basic training in tracking, which provided LPD with the ability to track/search for fleeing fugitives and missing persons.
Since, "Orka" has retired after a long and successful law enforcement tenure. A new addition to the Police Department was recently made with the donation of K-9 "Rino". Lakeway citizen and recent citizens police academy graduate, Melanie DeMayo, made a very generous financial donation to the Lakeway Police Foundation for the sole purpose of acquiring a new police dog. “Rino” will be trained in drug detection and tracking skills. His training will last for 5-6 weeks and then he will come to his new handler, LPD Officer Gilbert Hernandez, for additional training and acclimation. Officer Hernadez is a retired Travis County deputy and master K-9 handler/trainer who recently joined LPD. We expect our newest K-9 team to be on patrol in August 2018.
K-9 "Cory" is assigned to Patrol Officer Sheldon Banta who, in addition to normal patrol functions, is responsible for seeking out those who are in possession of illicit narcotics and/or drug paraphernalia in Lakeway. K-9 "Cory" and her handler are also tasked with public appearances at local schools and other community events in the Lake Travis area.