Lakeland police K-9 unit wins 'Top Dog' in national competition

The Lakeland Police Department's K-9 unit has earned national recognition.

Officer Chad Whitaker and K-9 Nox won "Top Dog" at the United States Police Canine Association's Patrol Dog National Field Trial, held in September in Illinois.

The competition consists of six events evaluated by judges: obedience, agility, evidence search, suspect search, apprehension without gunfire and with gunfire.

The team scored 696.51 points out of 700, which making their score one of the highest on record.

This is the third time a team from the Lakeland Police Department has won first place.

In addition, the department's four-person team won second place. That team consists of Whitaker, Sgt. Tye Thompson, Officer Jeff Barrett, Officer Ryan Back and Officer Cory Bowling.