The Kaysville Police Department has welcomed a new four-legged officer to its ranks. Maggie, a 5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, is now officially on duty as the city’s narcotics detection K-9. 

After a brief period without a K-9 unit, the department is excited to reintroduce the program with Maggie, who is trained exclusively in drug detection. Unlike dual-purpose police dogs that also assist in apprehensions, Maggie’s role focuses solely on sniffing out narcotics – a specialization that allows her to avoid the physical risks associated with apprehension work. As a result, her service career could potentially span several more years, provided she remains in good health.

Maggie’s handler, Officer Tyson Embley, has served in law enforcement for eight years – three years with Ogden City and five with Kaysville. Embley has raised Maggie since she was two and brought her into the police force after transferring from the narcotics unit to the patrol division. “Dogs are selected for this work based on their drive and potential,” Embley said. “Maggie had a strong desire to hunt and play from a very young age. She’s five, but she acts like a puppy.”

Together, Embley and Maggie trained for eight weeks at the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy. Embley is not only a certified narcotics K-9 handler, but also a POST-certified instructor – qualified to train untrained “green” dogs from scratch to certification.

Maggie, who comes from a European line of Labradors known for their smaller size and focused temperament, lives a dual life: working dog on duty, playful pet at home. When Embley is off the clock, so is Maggie. But while on shift, she’s ready to respond not only in Kaysville, but also in support of surrounding agencies.

“She’ll chase a tennis ball until I’m too tired to throw it,” Embley laughed, adding that Maggie has boundless energy and loves interacting with his kids – sometimes a little too enthusiastically. “She listens well, but I also want her to feel like she has freedom and can do her job with confidence.”

Maggie has already made a significant impact, assisting in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics and helping keep communities safe. She’s also a favorite in local school presentations, where she demonstrates her detection skills to students during visits coordinated by School Resource Officers.

To better support the K-9 team, the city is currently building a specially outfitted patrol vehicle that will allow Maggie to be placed just behind Embley, enhancing their communication and comfort while on duty. 

Although she’s always eager for a game of fetch, Maggie never forgets her role as a working dog. Her enthusiasm, discipline, and keen sense of smell make her a vital asset to the department and the broader community. “Maggie loves her tennis balls,” Embley said, “but she’s a police dog first.”