The Taylor Police Department created the Special Operations Unit in October of 1987.   The unit was designed to attack specific criminal problems that went beyond the normal functions of the patrol division.  The unit now consists of six officers, Sgt. Blair, Cpl. Farago, Officer Dalton, Cpl. Gersky, Cpl. MacDonald and Officer Chadwick.  Cpl. MacDonald and Officer Chadwick are both K-9 handlers.   Respectively, their dogs are  Cyrus and a new K-9 in training. To view K9 pages, click their hyperlink.

The Taylor K-9 unit was started in 1987 to assist the City of Taylor Police Department.  The City wanted to enhance the ability to locate fleeing suspects and illegal narcotics and has secured two highly trained German shepherds to assist in this effort.  Statistics show these dogs can sense drug odors and find hidden compartments or areas non-accessible to the average officer - at a very high rate of speed and accuracy.

Currently, the City of Taylor has two K-9 units, Sgt. Blair is in charge of the program.   "These dogs work side by side with their handlers, showing amazing obedience and results.  The K-9 units are used in high risk situations to apprehend dangerous criminals."

The K-9 units are assigned to the special operations bureau, and are on call 24 hours a day to assist officers in any priority situation.

The officers spend most of their time working in the Villages of Taylor.  After the City of Taylor bought the six apartment complexes located in the southwest section of the city in 1998, the Police Department instituted a community-policing program.  The officers in the Special Operations Unit created partnerships with the residents of the complexes, the managers, and other community services in the area to better understand their specific problems.  Officers patrol the area not only in marked police cars, but in order to have closer ties to the community, patrol on foot, and have recently formed a bicycle patrol.  Cpl. Farago and Officer Dalton are the two officers that ride the bicycles.  The efforts put out by all people involved, including the Taylor Police Department, McKinley Management, and the City of Taylor, have paid off in a 48% reduction in crime in the first 18 months of operations.

The Special Operations Unit also enforces liquor laws and violations within the city.   The officers send underage minors into liquor establishments to check on their compliance with the Michigan Liquor Laws.

Other Responsibilities of the Special Operations Unit consist of targeting specific problem areas within neighborhoods and bringing them to a successful resolution.  The unit also provides speakers for community programs, K-9 demonstrations, and neighborhood watches.  The officers work closely with other concept units, such as DRANO, to assist them while working in the City of Taylor.