The Los Angeles School Police Department Canine (K-9) Unit consists of one sergeant and four officers, each assigned their respective canine partner. K-9 handlers are required to complete many hours of extensive training to achieve trust and cohesion with their canine partner. Canines are police officers, each with their own serial number, police officer badge and photo I.D.

Two of the Department's four canines are deployed directly into the Day School Program, where they have been specially trained to serve as narcotics detection dogs. Working directly with school staff, the K-9 unit has a positive impact on reducing the ingress and egress of unlawful drugs at Los Angeles Schools.

The Department's additional two canines have been specially trained as Police Service Dogs (PSD) and are deployed to assist the Patrol Division with the apprehension of outstanding suspects.