Top Dog: K-9 Unit Gets National Awards

The K-9 unit at CLT is receiving national recognition for excellence in public safety, which is “PAWS-itively” well deserved!

The National Criminal Enforcement Association (NCEA) presented the honors in August.

CLT’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF Group 3) received the “Motivated and Dedicated” Award for the team’s professionalism, persistence and commitment to mission success. The task force includes local, state and federal partners, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Air Marshals.

The group competed against narcotics K-9 units from other airports.

Individually, CMPD K-9 Detective Jonathan Cerdan and his late dog, Cali, were named 2025 Airport Interdiction Officer of the Year and 2025 K-9 Warrior. (Sadly, Cali crossed the rainbow bridge in August 2025 after seven years of service at CLT.)

In our latest CLTea Blog, we asked Detective Cerdan about the important work the K-9 unit does at CLT:

Can you describe the challenge of losing a K-9 partner?

Losing K-9 Cali was one of the hardest things I've endured in my career as a law enforcement officer. K-9 Cali was not only my partner, but she was also part of my family. I spent more time with her than my human family. K-9 Cali was my first K-9, and as other handlers say, your first working K-9 is the most memorable and ultimately hurts the most. I still feel heavy emotions when I think of K-9 Cali.

The department and my unit gave me time to settle myself and process the loss of K-9 Cali. I then realized I had to move forward. The world didn’t stop; the City of Charlotte and CLT Airport were still operating. The community needed me to keep doing what I was given the opportunity to do, to the best of my ability. (Officer Cerdan and K-9 Cali)

Tell us about the extensive training and the handler/dog relationship.

CMPD Airport K-9S are fortunate to train in-house. We have access to multiple environments that other locations do not, including the large, busy airport where we work. We have some of the best trainers in the area available. We train weekly with the team and individually with our K-9S, focusing on areas that need improvement.

CLT is a busy, noisy area for humans and K-9S alike. We maintain our K-9S so they can work in this environment with maximum reliability. I believe our K-9 unit is one of the best in the nation, and we prove that day in and day out.

(Note: Ten K-9S are currently assigned to CLT — two narcotics detection K-9S owned by the City of Charlotte and eight explosive detection K-9S funded and owned by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). CMPD officers, including three full-time detectives, serve as the handlers. The narcotics detection K-9S search for contraband substances and cash suspected of being linked to illegal activity.)

Why should the public care about K-9 units at airports like CLT?

We help provide safety and peace of mind for the traveling public. There is a lot going on in the world today, and airports and travel should not be something you have to worry about when you come to CLT.

What does this award mean to you and the team?

It reflects the hard work, dedication, and talent that CLT Airport brings to the ongoing effort to ensure public safety. I am fortunate to work with an awesome group of teammates, letting our hard work speak for itself on a national level.

Tell us about your new partner!

When the K-9 supervisor asked if I wanted to work with a new K-9, I didn't hesitate and said, “Yes!” My new K-9, Ozzy, is a completely different breed from K-9 Cali (golden retriever). K-9 Ozzy is a 70-pound German Shepherd/Malinois mix. There was a steep learning curve and many trials and tribulations in training K-9 Ozzy; however, I was up to the task, and I knew this new K-9 would make me a better handler. (Officer Cerdan and his new partner, K-9 Ozzy)