K-9 Ozzy

The Florida Highway Patrol's CIP (Contraband Interdiction Program) began in 1984, when former Florida Highway Patrol Director, Bobby Burkett, saw the need for the Patrol to organize an effort to combat the flow of illegal drugs and contraband on Florida highways. Under his direction, the CIP program began to do just that. Interestingly, one of the original CIP team members is our current director, Colonel Chris Knight, who continues to strongly support the program.

With the rapid development and success of the CIP teams, the 1989 Florida legislature authorized fifty trooper positions to comprise the Contraband Interdiction Program. Here in 2004, the CIP consists of fifty-six troopers and twenty-nine K-9’s. Twenty-seven of the K-9’s are dual-purpose dogs, which means they are certified in both narcotic detection and patrol work. One dog is certified in bomb detection, while another maintains a single purpose narcotics certification only.

Presently, the CIP is undergoing extensive reorganization to re-focus its resources to best accomplish its mission, which is to serve the citizens and visitors of Florida in a fair and impartial enforcement of Federal and Florida laws. To help accomplish that mission, FHP is committed to continuing to obtain additional K-9’s to help detect and deter drug trafficking on Florida’s roadways. In addition to K-9 Ozzy, one of the newest and youngest members to the CIP team, FHP has recently purchased Lobo, another German Shepard Dog, as well as two more dogs to support the successful program.

Additional K-9 Photos