Canine
The EPISD Police Department narcotics Canine Unit was established in 1998, in response to the growing concern over the use and sale of illegal narcotics within the EPISD school system. The overall mission of the unit is to conduct narcotics interdiction through out the district with the primary goal of insuring a safe and drug free environment for students as well as the staff.
The EPISD Police Department currently deploys four canine teams. 
Each of the respective team is assigned to a high school and conducts canine operations through out the district. The Canine (K9) Unit consists of one sergeant and four officers each assigned their respective canine partners. The officers and their canines work together to develop mutual trust and affection in order to become an effective narcotics interdiction team. Handlers along with their canines are required to undergo 400 hours of intensive training prior to deployment in the district. Canines are police officers, each with their own serial number, police officers badge and photo I.D. Canine teams maintain nationally recognized certifications through the North American Police Working Dog Association as well as the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association.
EPISD canine teams have been called upon to assist the El Paso Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Texas Department of Corrections in conducting canine searches.
Since it's inception, the canine unit has demonstrated that the deployment of narcotic canines with in the district has deterred and displaced 
narcotics activity away from the campuses. The EPISD canine unit is committed to the task of insuring a safe and drug free environment and the protection of our future.
The Department's four canines are deployed directly in the day shift, where they have been specially trained to serve as narcotics detection dogs. Working directly with school staff, the K9 Unit has a positive impact on reducing the ingress and egress of unlawful drugs in EPISD Schools. Canine officers and their partners are also assigned to certain high schools and conduct narcotic searches at all high schools and middle schools.
Canine Ben is a two year old Czech shepherd, he has been with the El Paso Independent School District Police Department since April 2007. He is certified in narcotics detection with the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association.
Canine Cy is a two year old Belgian Malinois, he has been with the El Paso Independent School District Police Department since November 2006. He is certified in narcotics detection with the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association.
