K-9 Comeback: Arkansas Highway Police revive dog unit after nearly 20 years, already make major drug bust
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After nearly two decades, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Arkansas Highway Police have officially revived a program once considered the backbone of their law enforcement efforts.
The K-9 Unit is back and making an immediate impact.
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The department recently reintroduced two highly trained Belgian Malinois dogs, Mack and Jackie, as part of a newly re-established K-9 team designed for dual purposes: narcotics detection and patrol duties.
'In the 90s and early 2000s, the Arkansas Highway Police was nationally known for our K-9 program,' Arkansas Highway Police Chief Jeff Holmes said.
That legacy ended in 2006 when the last generation of dogs retired. But nearly 20 years later, Holmes and his team are rebuilding the program with renewed purpose, and early results are exceeding expectations.
'Within just a few weeks of them being on the streets, Highway Police seized a little over 11,000 pounds of narcotics,' Holmes said. 'They make criminal arrests every day. They make felony arrests. They are getting dangerous people off the highways, which makes it safer for me, you, and everybody else.'
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The new K-9 Unit is more than just a law enforcement tool—it's a symbol of progress. Holmes notes that it's brought a wave of energy and enthusiasm back into the agency.
'It's brought back a lot of excitement in the agency, and it's brought another tool that our officers have out here in assisting other agencies,' he said.
But behind the headlines and the heroics lies a demanding training process.
The K-9 handlers, Sergeant Zac Emrick and Patrolman First Class Nicholas Murphy, underwent intensive instruction alongside their canine partners.
The teams trained together to detect drugs, track suspects, and handle high-pressure situations with precision.
'It was pretty stressful,' Emrick said, recalling the early days of working with his new K-9. 'You're working with a brand-new animal that you don't know. There's no bond there in that moment – you're just trying to build one and work together.'
That bond, forged through rigorous daily training and shared mission, is now unbreakable.
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The early success of Mack and Jackie has energized hopes for growth. The department aims to expand the unit by the end of summer, adding three more dogs to the force.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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