SerpApi.Org
The California Highway Patrol team has increased by six, and its new members come with wagging tails and lush fur.
Six K-9s graduated from their training and are now ready to begin their service with the agency, CHP announced on Friday. A ceremony was held in West Sacramento to celebrate the dogs’ hundreds of hours of training and their official welcome into the team.
“These canine teams represent the next generation of the CHP’s specialized public safety resources,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement. “While each handler brings years of experience, today marks the start of new partnerships built on trust, discipline and rigorous training. Together, these teams will serve communities across California with skill, professionalism and unwavering dedication.”
The new K-9s include two Dutch shepherds, one German shepherd, two Belgian Malinois and the sixth one is making history as the agency’s first Springer Spaniel. They were identified as:
- K-9 Lucy, who is paired with Officer Scott Baker in the Northern Division
- K-9 Vader, who is paired with Officer Casy McCarthy in the Southern Division
- K-9 Lincoln, who is paired with Officer Nick Layton in the Capitol Protection Section
- K-9 Rex, who is paired with Officer Matt Chevalier in the Coastal Division
- K-9 Joker, who is paired with Officer Casey Wheeler in the Valley Division
- K-9 Trooper, who is paired with Officer Ethan Hale in the Golden Gate Division.
Three K-9s will be assigned to the Narcotics Detection teams, one will join the Patrol and Explosives Detection team, one will join the Explosives Detection team and the last will join the Narcotics Detection team.
