The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Tactical K9 (TK9) Operations program is all about one core mission: maximizing officer safety and reducing violent threats to law enforcement and the public during high-risk operations.

Launched in 2015, TK9 teams deliver specialized tactical support where danger is highest. Each team pairs a highly trained dog—typically a shepherd breed like a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois—with a Deputy U.S. Marshal handler. These dogs are bred and trained in-house by USMS master trainers, ensuring they’re fully aligned with the Marshals’ strict policies, procedures, and real-world enforcement needs.

These aren’t standard police dogs—they’re equipped with cutting-edge onboard camera systems that stream live video back to the team. This gives officers real-time eyes inside buildings, attics, or hidden areas without sending humans into harm’s way first. It’s a game-changing tool for de-escalating threats before they turn deadly.