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UPK9K9 Detection & Security Request a Quote
Service-disabled veteran-owned · California & the Western U.S.

Detection K9 teams and Armed Operatives for California’s busiest venues.

UPK9 fields explosive and narcotics detection teams, armed and unarmed, for Major League Baseball, theme parks, public transit, technology companies, schools and government sites. Based in Folsom, deployed across California and the Western U.S.

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Trusted at
  • MLB Teams
  • Tech Companies
  • Theme Parks
  • Public Transit
  • Schools
  • Government
K9 Detection

Handler and dog teams that find what screening misses.

Every team is a paired handler and dog that trains together, certifies together and works your site together.

UPK9 handler and explosive detection dog sweeping a loading dockEDD

Explosive Detection

Pre-event and on-call sweeps of venues, vehicles, bags, loading docks and VIP areas.

  • Gate, concourse and suite sweeps before doors open
  • Vehicle and freight screening
  • Suspicious-item response during events
Detection dog searching a vehicleNDD

Narcotics Detection

Detection teams for workplaces, campuses and facilities that need to keep illegal drugs out.

  • Scheduled and unannounced facility sweeps
  • Parking and vehicle areas
  • Written results after every sweep
Security Services

Armed Operatives, security officers and Red Team testing.

UPK9 Armed Operatives in body armor on postARMED

Armed Operatives

Licensed, experienced Armed Operatives for high-attendance events, critical sites and high-risk posts. Uniformed or plainclothes, with open or concealed carry.

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UPK9 security officers at a ballpark entranceUNARMED

Security Officers

Uniformed officers for access control, patrol and visible presence at gates, lobbies and job sites.

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UPK9 operative observing a venue gateRED TEAM

Red Team Audits

We test your screening the way an adversary would, then hand you a report with video of each interaction and a pass or fail for every test.

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Who We Serve

Built for places where crowds and stakes are high.

Stadiums & BallparksPro and minor league game days, concerts, special events
Theme Parks & FestivalsDaily coverage across an operating season
Transit & InfrastructureStations, rail yards, utilities and freight
Government & FederalInstallations, depots, VIP visits and press events
Corporate & CampusHeadquarters, shareholder meetings, tradeshows
Schools & UniversitiesCampus sweeps, graduations, athletics
Our Work

What our teams do on site.

K9 team sweeping ballpark seating before a gameProfessional baseball

MLB Game Days

K9 explosive detection and Armed Operatives covering gates, concourses and suites from pre-game sweep to final out.

Detection K9 team sweeping a concession standTheme parks

Full-Season Coverage

Detection K9 teams on every operating day of the season, at entry points and high-traffic areas.

Detection dog sweeping a charter busTechnology & transit

Campuses & Stations

K9 detection support for technology campuses, corporate events and public transit systems.

How It Works

From first call to boots on site.

  1. Site assessmentWe walk your site or event plan with you, in person or by video.
  2. Coverage planYou get a written plan and quote: teams, posts, hours and sweep schedule.
  3. DeploymentCertified teams arrive early, sweep, and hold post through close.
  4. ReportingTime-stamped sweep records and an after-action summary for your files.
Service Area

Based in Folsom. Deployed across California and the West.

We cover single events, full seasons and ongoing contracts anywhere in California, and send K9 detection teams to venues and events across the Western U.S.

Sacramento & Gold CountrySacramento, Folsom, Roseville, Elk Grove, Placer and El Dorado counties
Bay Area & Silicon ValleySan Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Clara, the Peninsula and North Bay
Central ValleyStockton, Modesto, Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield
Northern California & SierraRedding, Chico, Lake Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra
Central CoastMonterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara
Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego
Western U.S. NevadaOregonWashingtonArizonaUtahIdaho

Armed and unarmed security services are provided in California. Planning a multi-state event or tour? Call us and we’ll build coverage around your schedule.

Government & Federal

A service-disabled veteran-owned small business ready for federal work.

K9 detection sweeps, detection shifts and Armed Operative support for installations, depots and VIP events, with digital sweep records your team can access.

  • On-call VIP and event sweeps
  • Scheduled detection shifts
  • Client records portal: sweep times, locations, training and certification records
Legal nameUPK9 Corp
Primary NAICS561612 · Security Guards and Patrol Services
SocioeconomicService-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
CA PPO License#121776
UEIE8WADHZS9J9
CAGE Code8UQG6
Team certificationCertified annually to Army AR 190-12 standards and by independent third-party organizations, with a validation between each certification
Headquarters50 Iron Point Circle, Ste 140, Folsom, CA 95630
UPK9 K9 team supporting a military training site
About UPK9

Veteran-led since 2017.

UPK9 was founded in Folsom in 2017 as a service-disabled veteran-owned company. Every team is certified, documented and ready before the gates open.

UPK9 K9 handler with a detection dogUPK9 handler with an explosive detection dog
Careers

We’re hiring handlers and Armed Operatives.

Veterans, law enforcement and experienced security professionals: work game days, events and government sites with a veteran-led team.

UPK9 handler preparing a detection dog for a sweepK9

K9 Detection Handler

Work a certified detection dog at venues and facilities across Northern California.

  • Active CA Guard Card
  • Handler experience preferred; we train the right people
  • Weekend and event availability
UPK9 Armed Operatives on post at a venueARMED

Armed Operative

Armed posts at stadiums, events and critical sites.

  • Active CA Guard Card and Exposed Firearm Permit
  • Military, law enforcement or armed security background
  • Weekend and event availability
FAQ

Questions we hear most.

Where do you provide K9 detection services?

Anywhere in California, from Redding to San Diego, plus Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah and Idaho. Our teams are based in Folsom and travel to your site.

How much does an explosive detection dog cost?

Pricing depends on the number of teams, hours on site, travel and how often you need coverage. A one-time event, a full season and an ongoing contract are priced differently. Request a quote and we’ll send a written coverage plan with pricing.

How are your K9 teams certified?

Each handler and dog certifies together as a team. Our teams are certified to U.S. Army AR 190-12 military working dog standards and by independent third-party certifying organizations. Each team certifies once a year and completes a separate validation between certifications, so every team is formally evaluated twice a year. Teams train continuously in between.

What happens during a K9 sweep?

The team clears the outside perimeter first, then works the interior in a grid: entrances, seating, suites, restrooms, loading docks, vehicles and deliveries. You get a time-stamped record of every area cleared.

Can you cover a single event?

Yes. We cover one-day events, tournaments, concerts, graduations and VIP visits, as well as full seasons and year-round contracts.

How much notice do you need?

The more the better. Two to four weeks lets us build a full coverage plan for recurring work. For urgent sweeps, call us and we’ll tell you what we can field.

Do you provide armed security?

Yes. UPK9 provides licensed Armed Operatives and unarmed security officers in California under CA PPO License #121776. K9 teams can be paired with armed or unarmed staff.

Are you a veteran-owned business?

Yes. UPK9 is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), which qualifies us for federal and state veteran set-aside contracts.

Request a Quote

Tell us about your site or event.

We’ll follow up with questions or a coverage plan.

Call or text
(866) 875-9411
Email
info@upk-9.com
Office hours (PT)
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Sat 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Follow our teams
Instagram @upk_9 · Facebook /upk9
What do you need?

Jessey Csech

Chief Executive Officer · Co-OwnerSergeant, U.S. Army · K9 since 2012

Jessey served six years in the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer and military working dog handler, graduating from the Army Working Dog Handlers Course in 2012. He went on to run an Army kennel in Germany, and in 2018 he certified through the U.S. State Department K9 Program.

Since then he has led explosive detection sweeps for major sports and entertainment venues, theme parks, embassies and Fortune 500 companies, and has spent his career training both dogs and handlers.

As CEO he leads UPK9's strategy, sales and client relationships, and oversees marketing, HR, legal and compliance, and training coordination.

Isaac Vasquez

Chief Operating Officer · Co-OwnerSergeant, U.S. Army · OEF / OIF · K9 since 2012

Isaac served as a Sergeant and military working dog handler in the U.S. Army, beginning his K9 career in 2012, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a B.S. in Business.

As COO he runs scheduling, site operations and handler readiness for every post UPK9 staffs, and leads the Red Team program that tests client screening and access control.

Christian Del Cid

Chief Financial OfficerU.S. Coast Guard

Christian is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.

As CFO he manages UPK9's finances, including payroll, billing, invoicing and financial planning.

Dan De Leon

VP of OperationsStaff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force · Kennel Master

Dan served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, working as a military working dog handler and kennel master.

As VP of Operations he oversees hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training and K9 sweep requests, and supports bidding and new-client coverage planning.

Randy Blanchard

Chief Business Development Officer · Co-OwnerSergeant First Class, U.S. Army (Ret.) · 20 years K9

Randy is a retired U.S. Army combat veteran with 20 years of service, 18 of them as a military working dog handler, trainer, kennel master and instructor. After completing the Army K9 handler course in 2001, he worked narcotics and explosive detection at multiple duty stations, including narcotics sweeps at the Port of El Paso in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In 2004 he passed selection as a K9 handler for U.S. Army Special Operations Command and spent six years at Fort Bragg. In 2010 he became Operations NCOIC of the Army detachment at the Military Working Dog School at JBSA-Lackland, then held leadership roles across the Army MWD program, with multiple combat K9 deployments.

As Chief Business Development Officer he leads business development and client growth, building partnerships with venues, event organizers and organizations.

Kenneth Leal

VP of Training · Co-OwnerRetired K9 Officer, Mountain View PD

Kenneth is a retired K9 officer with the Mountain View Police Department.

As VP of Training he leads UPK9's K9 training program, preparing handler and dog teams for certification and keeping them sharp between annual certifications and validations.
ARMED

Armed Operatives

Licensed, insured Armed Operatives throughout California under PPO #121776. Every operative holds a BSIS Guard Card and exposed firearm permit, and many come from military and law enforcement backgrounds.

When armed coverage makes sense

An armed post raises your cost and liability, so we recommend it only when the threat, the value of what you are protecting, or response time calls for it. If your site doesn’t need it, we’ll tell you and quote unarmed officers instead.

Uniformed, off-duty or plainclothes

Our operatives dress to fit your setting: full uniform, an off-duty officer look, or plainclothes anywhere from suit and tie to business casual. Armed operatives can carry concealed (CCW) when you want protection that blends in with your guests or staff.

Where clients use armed operatives

  • High-value assets: cash handling, cannabis operations, pharmaceutical storage, jewelry and precious metals
  • Executive protection and dignitary details
  • Workplace violence risk: hostile terminations and credible threats
  • Healthcare and behavioral health facilities
  • Government facilities and public meetings
  • Critical infrastructure: substations, water treatment and fuel storage
  • Special events where the threat assessment supports an armed presence

Licensing and compliance

  • CA Private Patrol Operator license PPO #121776
  • BSIS Guard Card and exposed firearm permit on every armed operative, with range qualification kept current
  • Baton and chemical agent permits where the post requires them
  • Background screening and drug testing
  • Liability insurance and workers’ comp, with certificates provided before deployment and your entity named as additional insured on request
  • Use-of-force training and written post orders for every assignment

How we staff a post

  1. Free threat assessment: a site walk in person or by video, based on your actual exposure
  2. Written post orders: patrol routes, escalation thresholds, reporting chain, emergency contacts, and what the operative is and is not authorized to do
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UNARMED

Security Officers

Licensed, insured unarmed security officers for duty stations, access control and events throughout California. Every officer holds a current BSIS Guard Card, is background screened and works to written post orders.

Where unarmed officers do the most good

  • Duty stations and lobbies: visitor management, badge checks, sign-in and escorts
  • Access control at gates, loading docks, employee entrances and contractor check-in
  • Construction sites: theft prevention with overnight and weekend coverage
  • Commercial and office buildings: after-hours patrol, alarm response, opening and closing
  • Retail, multi-family and HOA properties: patrol and visible presence
  • Events: concerts, festivals, sporting events, trade shows and corporate functions
  • Schools, warehouses and logistics yards

Coverage options

  • Fixed duty station: one officer at a set position for a defined shift, for presence and access control
  • Roving patrol: scheduled or randomized rounds with documented checkpoints for larger sites
  • Event staffing: scalable teams for entry screening support, credential checks, crowd flow and back-of-house access

Licensing and compliance

  • CA Private Patrol Operator license PPO #121776
  • BSIS Guard Card current on every officer, with required continuing training
  • Background screening and drug testing
  • General liability and workers’ comp, with certificates provided before deployment
  • Written post orders for every assignment
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RED TEAM

Red Team Audits

You don’t know whether your security works until someone tries to beat it. Our Red Team agents arrive as ordinary guests (a fan with a ticket, a vendor with a delivery, a contractor with a clipboard) and try to get past your screening, access control and staff. Every engagement is authorized, controlled and confidential.

What we test

  • Entry screening: bag checks, magnetometers, wanding and pat-downs, including when the line backs up
  • Contraband introduction through public entry or over the perimeter
  • Credential and ticket control: counterfeit, expired or borrowed passes
  • Tailgating through controlled doors and vehicle gates
  • Restricted and back-of-house areas: loading docks, suites, production and utility spaces
  • Social engineering: posing as staff, vendors, media or contractors
  • Perimeter integrity: fence lines, service doors and camera gaps
  • Staff challenge culture: does anyone question an unbadged stranger?
  • K9 and detection team performance through blind testing

Built to league standards

Our audits mirror the security testing requirements major professional sports leagues set for their venues, so you can show your league and your board where you stand.

Real-time options

You decide how failures are handled on the day. At your direction, we can report critical failures to you immediately, or run on-the-spot corrective training with the staff involved right after a failed test.

What you get back

  • A written report with a pass or fail for every audit
  • Video footage of each interaction at your checkpoints
  • Results for every attempt: what was tried, where and when
  • Challenge rate by post and by shift
  • Time to detection in restricted areas
  • Root cause analysis and recommended fixes
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