K-9

The Myrtle Beach Police Department created the K-9 Unit in late 2001. Since its inception, our K-9 officers have provided unmatched assistance in suspect tracking, narcotics recovery, explosive & detonation searches, school searches, and numerous specialized rescue and reconnaissance missions.

The K-9 unit allows our department to deter crime by adding the following elements:

  • Enhanced tracking of individuals sought by police
  • The search of buildings or areas for suspected criminals
  • Locating evidence that has been hidden or abandoned
  • Bomb detection
  • Narcotics detection
  • Search and rescue of lost or missing persons
  • Improved search capabilities

Our program has grown extensively through the years and continues to provide an important service in apprehending criminals through the use of trained canines and their law enforcement handlers. The Department has utilized canines to assist officers with law enforcement and public relations activities. The Department currently has four canine teams for narcotics detection, tracking, and patrol work.

All canine teams go through extensive training before deployment to the field. This training is ongoing as the K-9 Unit gathers weekly to work on skills that will keep the teams proficient. The K-9 Unit also participates in dozens of public demonstrations throughout the community each year. To request a canine demonstration, contact the Myrtle Beach Police Department at (843) 918-1382 and ask to speak to the K-9 Unit Supervisor.

Visit the K9 Unit Facebook page at this link here.

K-9 Team

PFC. Shon McCluskey / K9 Goggles

PFC. Shon McCluskey is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1996.  PFC. McCluskey moved to the Myrtle Beach area upon being hired with the Myrtle Beach Police Dept. in 1997.  PFC. McCluskey has been with the department for over 22 years, and spent 15 of those years working in the Traffic Division.  PFC. McCluskey accomplished certifications as an Accident Reconstructionist, Instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, and Instructor in Speed Measurement Device. PFC. McCluskey was nominated and awarded as Police Officer of the Year for 2015. In August of 2016, PFC McCluskey was accepted into the K-9 Unit to handle a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois named Daisy, whom he worked side by side with until her retirement 2019. In 2019 PFC. McCluskey had the honor to get a second K9 Partner, K9 Goggles. K9 Goggles is an explosive, article search, and tracking certified K9.

PFC. Tyler Struckus / K9 Yep

PFC. Tyler Struckus is originally from a town in Southern New Jersey. In January 2016, Tyler joined the Myrtle Beach Police Department. Before being selected for the K9 Unit, Tyler had been assigned to the Patrol Division, Waterfront Division, and the Power Shift. In April 2019, Tyler was selected to be a K9 Handler for his K9 partner Yep. Tyler and K9 Yep completed the Full Service K9 Handler Course and graduated from Custom Canine Unlimited on August 02, 2019.

K9 Yep is a 7-year-old German Shepard. Tyler and K9 Yep are certified in drug detection, article searches, tracking, criminal apprehension, and handler protection.”

PFC. Hanna Land / K9 Goose

Check back soon for bio!

PFC. Aaron Allston / K9 Yogi

Check back soon for bio!

CPL Austin Cox / K9 Koax

CPL. Cox was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, SC.  He was hired by the Myrtle Beach Police Department in September of 2011. Before being selected to be a K9 Handler, CPL Cox was a patrol officer before moving to the Street Crimes Unit and is currently a Field Training Officer. CPL. Cox has been on the SWAT Team since 2016. 

After completing K9 Handler training in Maysville, GA in April of 2020, K9 Koax and CPL. Cox became certified in drug detection, article searches, tracking, criminal apprehension, and handler protection.  K9 Koax is a 5 year old Belgian Malinois.