The Apex Police Department Explosives Detection Team
By Mary Frances Cassidy
While the students and faculty of Lufkin Road Middle School were evacuating classrooms during a tense bomb scare earlier this spring, Apex Police Officer Kyle Moore and his partner, an explosives detection K9 named Pepper, were doing the exact opposite; they headed straight into the danger.
Although the report was ultimately identified as a hoax, the scene remained active until the pair had finished a thorough sweep of the school grounds.
This scenario alone is enough to answer the question, “Why does the Apex Police Department need a bomb sniffing dog?” But there are many more reasons why an explosives detection K9 is a vital asset to the community.
Beyond immediate response to threats, Pepper serves as a significant regional resource, allowing the Apex Police Department to support neighboring agencies including Raleigh, Cary, and Holly Springs.
Officer Moore, who has served as a patrol officer throughout his seven-year tenure with the department, intentionally chose to pursue the specialized role of K9 handler. He opted for this position over a potential career path to management because, as he describes it, being a K9 handler is a lifelong dream for him. His preference for staying on the “front lines” has defined his career path and his overall dedication to the community.
The process for selecting a dog to be used for the purposes of law enforcement is a lengthy one. It involves visiting vendors and conducting initial testing to see if the dog is a preliminary fit. However, it’s not possible to determine the dog’s true limitations in a vendor setting and rarely a matter of testing one dog and confirming them to be the right match.
To fully and properly evaluate essential qualities like focus, temperament, hunt drive, and environmental adaptability, the definitive assessments take place off-site, in practical, everyday settings. In the initial stages of this process, the department selected a male German shepherd. However, off-site testing revealed he had some environmental issues that could not be overcome for this type of work, precluding him from being a good fit. Pepper, a two-year-old, female Malinois was the second dog selected in the process who not only met the criteria but excelled in every area. “We noticed very early that she was eager to do what we asked of her and had an incredible hunt drive,” stated Moore. “She just doesn’t quit and is absolutely amazing at what she does.”
Most law enforcement agencies rely on “single purpose” dogs because the training requirements and skill sets for explosives detection versus patrol are very different. Because of this, Pepper is a bit of an anomaly. “I like to refer to her as a unicorn,” said Moore. “She also does patrol, and is trained in apprehension, tracking, and evidence recovery.” Her continual training, which can encompass up to three hours a day, is based on Pavlovian conditioning, in which various toys serve as the ultimate reward and motivator. This encourages the utilization of her superior sense of smell to track specific scents — a capability that’s especially crucial given that technology and machines cannot match the superior accuracy of a dog’s nose. It also involves teaching Pepper to ignore distractors like food or other odors, and to not “cheat” by alerting on just any strong scent.
Communication is key to the relationship between the pair and relies heavily on body language. “I use the term ‘happy feet’ to describe Pepper’s reaction when she finds an odor. Her tail wags, her ears go back, and she gets super-excited because she knows finding it means she’ll get her toy,” said Moore. In contrast, he must remain vigilant for false alerts, and Pepper will look to him for a reaction. He notes that she, like most dogs, responds more to tone, inflection, and consistency, than to actual words themselves.
The connection between a police K9 and their handler is truly exceptional. As they remain together around the clock, it’s unlike the relationship shared with a human partner. To ensure a smooth transition into the Moore household, Pepper was introduced to the family and their two dogs, Carly and Nico, through a strategy of gradual integration and the establishment of distinct boundaries. In order to prevent confusion and maintain those clear boundaries between her work and home life, Pepper is only trained in professional settings, reinforcing the distinct sets of rules that govern each environment. She even has separate, dedicated collars for work and home. Consistency is key. When on-duty, Officer Moore implements this same approach during public encounters with Pepper. He maintains professional boundaries by politely explaining to citizens that she is working and therefore cannot engage in play or be petted.
The acquisition of Pepper was made possible through the generosity of the Apex Rotary Club, which provided the necessary funds for her purchase. This contribution stands as a testament to the community’s support for both the department and the specialized work performed by Officer Moore and his partner. The Town of Apex highly values the contributions of its K9 members, viewing them as a vital investment in the continued protection of the community. In 2025, town leadership and the Parks and Recreation Department worked together to build a memorial at the Hunter Street Park to honor K9 Zeus, the trusted partner of Lieutenant Joseph Asmussen, of the department’s Patrol Division. Unveiled last May, “This memorial will continue to serve as a way to always honor the K9s that have served the Apex community,” said Asmussen.
Ultimately, having a dedicated explosives detection team ensures the department is prepared for worst-case scenarios. Lt. Asmussen notes, “Pepper’s specialized training in explosives detection adds a critical layer to our public safety response during large events or high-risk incidents.”
An explosives detection team also serve a proactive role, conducting advanced sweeps at these functions, proving to be a significant component of the town’s safety strategy. More than just a tactical asset, the partnership between Officer Moore and Pepper embodies a steadfast commitment to the town of Apex.
As they patrol our community, this dynamic duo is continually striving to ensure the safety and peace of mind for everyone who calls Apex home.
