Canine Officer (K-9)
The Mountlake Terrace Police Department K-9 specializes in narcotics recognition. A Police K-9 dog is a commissioned Police Officer. K-9 Teams perform basic patrol functions during their shift until needed to investigate narcotics related complaints. They also work closely with the Narcotics Task Force detectives and assist them in searches. The handler will usually work with the same dog for 5 to 7 years at which point the dog will "retire". The Mountlake Terrace K-9 is a black Labrador named "Hunter" and his handler is Officer Scott King. 

Dogs are used by police agencies in a number of capacities. There are search dogs, bomb dogs, cadaver dogs, and so on. Mountlake Terrace has maintained a Drug Detection K-9 for many years. K-9 dogs and their handlers go through extensive training to learn to work as a team. The dogs are tasked with finding well-hidden, planted narcotics. The dog is rewarded for a “hit” with tennis ball playtime. For the handler, they need to learn how to “apply” the dog correctly, or in other words, when and how they can search a person, place or vehicle.

In addition to helping patrol and narcotic officers, the services of a K-9 are shared throughout the area with other Law Enforcement agencies. We also bring in K-9’s from other agencies if we need, for example, to track a suspect.

School Resource Officer
In partnership with the Edmonds School District, the Police department has a full time School Resource Officer assigned to Mountlake Terrace High School. Officer Heidi Froisland is responsible for responding to complaints that arise during school hours. Mountlake Terrace High School has a student population similar to a small town. With nearly 1500 students it is the largest High School in the district. School Resource Officers (SRO) also coordinate prevention and safety programs. Officer Froisland can be contacted at the school during normal school hours by phone at 425-431-5790, or by email at froislandh@edmonds.wednet.edu.

From School Resource Officer Froisland
As a member of the school faculty and leadership team, I can provide guidance in preventing crime on our campus. As a counseling resource, I can help students and parents who are balancing both discipline and potential law violation problems at school and at home. I am a resource for teachers, parents, and students for a variety of law-related questions concerning both school and one's life outside of school. Ways that I have had an impact on my students include: co-counseling with drug and alcohol for some students I know well; mediating and counseling many students having arguments in order to keep the fights from becoming physical. 

By being a fixture in the school and available to students, they often approach me to share what is happening in their life, both good and their concerns, and I can share thoughts that may help them, or just be an adult that listens and shares in their concern. I am a member of the National Association of School Resource Officers and have completed the Basic Course for SRO's and attended the 2006 Conference in Palm Springs, CA.
-Heidi

Bike Patrol
The Mountlake Terrace Bike Patrol program consists of Officers specially trained to work on bicycles, usually work in pairs. On bikes, Officers are able to see things at a different pace than in a patrol car, but they can still respond fairly quickly when they are needed. Bike Patrols work very well in commercial, downtown areas and apartment complexes, or where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic, like street fairs and parades.

SWAT
In 1985, the cities of Lynnwood, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace combined resources to form the South Snohomish County SWAT team. The team consists of around 15 members, 4 of whom are from the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. The structure of the SWAT team is; one Team Leader, one Assistant Team Leader, and three squads. Two of the squads are the entry teams, the third is a sniper/observation element.

Snipers must pass sniper school, a week-long training session, in addition to the SWAT tactical training. SWAT teams have two 5 hours training sessions each month and snipers have an additional 3 hours per month of rifle training at the range. The entire team has a week long advanced training every year. This training includes; building entry techniques, tactical movement, bus and vehicles assaults, hostage rescue, and advanced sniper training, just to name a few.

SWAT is utilized whenever events go beyond the capacity of ordinarily trained and equipped officers to handle. Examples may be high risk warrant arrests, barricaded subjects, hostage rescues, or any event where a higher level of specific expertise is required to resolve the situation.