Welcome to the K-9 Unit, I am Lieutenant Ruamen Delarua, the Unit Commander. My career started with the Miami Police Department. I transferred to the Marion County Sheriff's Office in 1987. While at the Sheriff's Office I have served as a member of the Drug Unit, K-9 Unit, on Uniformed Patrol as a field training officer, and Traffic Division on Motors. I was promoted to the position of Sergeant as the Commander of the K-9 Unit. Since then I have been promoted to the position of Lieutenant as the Commander of the K-9 Unit.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit was formally established in 1987. The current K-9 Unit is comprised of nine K-9 Teams. All the K-9 Teams are patrol certified through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, United States Police Canine Association and the North American Police Working Dog Association. A Patrol certified canine has the ability to track human scent, conduct building searches, area searches, article searches, and handler protection. Two K-9 Teams are specifically dedicated to the detection of explosive devices. Seven teams are specifically dedicated to the detection of iIllegal drugs and the detection of human remains.

The mission of the K-9 Unit is to support all Law Enforcement activity and the community of Marion County. This support includes, but is not limited to, apprehension of fleeing criminals, warrant searches, building searches, area searches, article searches, search and rescue, pursuits, illegal drug eradication, bomb searches, cadaver searches, and assisting patrol deputies on in-progress calls for service. In the support of the community the K-9 Unit conducts demos for local schools, community organizations, civic groups, and crime watch meetings.

If you would like to request a K-9 Demo please contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit at
(352) 732-8181

Thank you for taking the time to view our website.

Lieutenant Ruamen Delarua
K-9 Unit Commander