Currently the Colonial Regional Police Department has one K-9 team. The team consists of one police dog and one handler.

"Rex" is a pure bred male Belgian Malinois, born March 2001. His handler is Sgt. Darrin Wendling. "Rex" was imported from Holland by Sgt. Wendling and completed his academy training at Castle K-9 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  Rex started his duties with CRPD in August 2003 when he replaced retired CRPD K-9 Officer "Robby".  "Rex" is considered a dual-purpose police dog, which means he is trained for both patrol work and narcotic detection.

The CRPD K-9 Unit was first established in 1998 through donations by both private citizens and local businesses. The funds were used to purchase CRPD's first K-9 Officer "Robby" as well as to train him and Sgt. Wendling.  When Officer "Robby" grew to retirement age, donations from both private citizens and local businesses were again used in the purchasing of "Rex", his equipment and training.

Narcotics detection work consists of several illegal narcotic odors that "Rex" is trained to locate. He is trained to locate marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. In this capacity, the police department uses "Rex" to assist in search warrants for those drugs. He can search houses, vehicles and packages.

Patrol work consists of suspect apprehension, officer protection, suspect tracking, building searches and area searches. "Rex" is also available for public demonstrations within CRPD’s jurisdiction.

The team utilizes a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria for their police vehicle, which is specially outfitted for transporting a police dog. The vehicle has a climate control alarm that allows Sgt. Wendling to know when the vehicle begins to become uncomfortable in any weather for "Rex".

When "off-duty" Officer "Rex" lives with Sgt. Wendling.  The partners train constantly both individually and with other K-9 officers from neighboring departments.

Retired Officer "Robby" sadly passed away in 2009 after spending his "golden years" with Sergeant Wendling at home.

Officer "Rex" and his handler Sgt. Wendling would like to remind everyone that working dogs should not be approached without the consent of their handlers. With proper introductions working dogs can be friendly and approachable; yet while the animals are "working", they are trained to be all business. Please respect them and the work they do.