The Police Department has four canine (K9) handler teams.

Each team partners a Police Officer with a highly-trained canine. This specialized unit has the primary task of drug interdiction and tracking, locating and apprehending fleeing criminals or missing persons and patrolling streets and the community at large. The K-9's also locate explosives or bomb materials. Generally, K-9 officers spend their shift in Patrol, assisting in calls for service and making traffic stops until their specialized skills are needed. K-9 officers also participate in demonstrations and civic events. SCPD Officers maintain 24-hour control over their canines.

Cheryl Walsh, President of the Sean M. Walsh K-9 Memorial Foundation, has been instrumental in funding the Santa Clara Police Department's K-9 program.