The Muscatine Police Department's K-9 program began in 1991. The department's first dog was Caesar who started his employment in November 1991 along with his handler,then Officer Steve Snider. Caesar worked the street for 7 years as a dual purpose working dog. Caesar retired in the summer of 1998 after his replacement, Kira, was trained and on the streets for a period of time.
Since that time the Muscatine Police department has had 4 other dogs and continues to employ K-9 units as a regular facet of its patrol function. The K-9 and its handler are regularly called upon to conduct drug searches of vehicles and structures as well as tracking wanted or missing persons. The department maintains an agreement with other area agencies which allows the K-9 officer to be employed, in emergency cases, in other parts of the county.
