Employee Spotlight: Officer Matthew Chesek

Published on September 28, 2026

Name: Officer Matthew Chesek
Job Title: K9 Handler
Department: Wilmington Police Department
Years with the City: 6 years

A Partnership Built for the Job

When people see a police K9 and handler working together, they may notice the dog first. But behind every successful K9 team is extensive training, trust, and a partnership that continues well beyond a shift.

Officer Matthew Chesek and his K9 partner, Zeus, work as a dual-purpose team for the Wilmington Police Department. Together, they support patrol and investigations by locating people, recovering evidence, detecting narcotics, and assisting officers with apprehending suspects when needed.

Zeus is a nearly 4-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands. The breed is often selected for police work because of its workability, drive, health, and ability to perform demanding tasks.

For Officer Chesek, becoming a K9 handler was an opportunity to take on a specialized role after years as a Wilmington police officer. The selection process included a physical assessment and oral interview board.

He wanted the assignment because of the impact this partnership can provide to the community.

“A well-trained K9 team is one of the most effective, non-lethal tools we have for finding what officers cannot see and for keeping both the public and other officers safer,” Officer Chesek said.

One of the things people may not realize about police K9s is just how much of the job happens outside of calls.

Zeus currently lives with Canine Sgt. Kendall Murphy but will soon be living with Officer Chesek, allowing their partnership to continue at home after the workday ends. The handler is responsible for maintaining the relationship, keeping skills sharp, and continuing to care for the dog throughout its life.

That close relationship is an important part of building a K9 team that can work effectively in challenging and unpredictable situations.

Training for the Unexpected

Officer Chesek and Zeus train regularly and complete annual certification through the United States Police Canine Association. Their ongoing training includes obedience, odor work, searches in different environments, and scenario-based exercises designed to prepare the team for real calls.

For Officer Chesek, some of the most rewarding moments are seeing Zeus successfully apply that training in the field.

“The most meaningful moments so far have been watching the dog do the work it was trained for — finding what we needed on a search and then immediately switching back to a focused, controlled partner,” Officer Chesek said. “That successful training is awesome to see in person behind the leash.”

Force Multiplier

K9 teams can provide a valuable resource when officers need to locate a person, find evidence or search an area.

Residents can benefit when narcotics are recovered, a fleeing suspect is located quickly rather than requiring a prolonged search through a neighborhood, or evidence is found during an investigation.

K9s can also help officers search buildings or other areas more efficiently, potentially allowing a person hiding inside a building to be located without officers having to clear every room themselves.

“A certified K9 team is a force multiplier for the entire department,” Officer Chesek said.

Understanding the Role of a Police K9

Police K9s are sometimes misunderstood, particularly when it comes to how and when they are used.

Officer Chesek said people may assume the dogs are naturally aggressive or that they are used first in every situation. In reality, police K9s are highly trained working animals that operate under their handlers’ control.

They are used when permitted by state law and departmental policy and are trained to respond to specific commands and situations.

Their work requires control and discipline, not simply aggression.

Life After Service

Like their human counterparts, police K9s eventually retire.

Most police K9s work for several years, usually up to 10 years, depending on their health and performance.

When a K9 retires, WPD’s practice is for the dog to remain with its handler whenever possible. After years of working together and living in the same home, that allows the dog to spend retirement in a familiar environment with the person it has partnered with throughout its career.

Beyond the Job

Officer Chesek’s work with Zeus is just one part of his life outside of patrol.

He is a Marine Corps veteran and a member of the WPD SWAT team.

Away from the badge and the K9 unit, Officer Chesek has a few feathered companions of his own, including chickens and ducks.

Advice for Future City Employees

For anyone interested in working for the City, Officer Chesek recommends focusing on the work in front of you and continuing to learn.

For those interested in joining Wilmington Police Department, he said the department looks for officers who can handle responsibility, work as part of a team, and represent the City with integrity.

His advice for new officers is simple: Be the best patrol officer you can be.

Thank You, Officer Chesek and Zeus

From tracking and searches to narcotics detection, evidence recovery and supporting officers in the field, Officer Matthew Chesek and Zeus provide a specialized service that supports the Wilmington Police Department and the community.

Their work is built on training, trust, and a partnership that extends beyond the police station and into everyday life.

Thank you to Officer Chesek for six years of service to the City and to Zeus for his work alongside him.