Four new K-9 teams join CHP to increase public safety statewide

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced that four additional specialized K-9 teams will join the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to improve public safety and provide service to Californians.

This graduating class consisted of 3 Belgian Malinois (Judge, Jag, Jury) and 1 Dutch Shepherd (Oso). While on the force, these canines will play a critical role in criminal apprehension and controlled substance detection in Californian communities. Additionally, they will accompany CHP officers to safeguard neighborhoods as patrol canines.

Our newly trained canines mark another success in furthering our efforts to bend the crime rates down and increase safety in communities. We will continue working strategically to build on our public safety investments and progress.

Governor Gavin Newsom

“Police canines have proven their usefulness time and again in the situations officers face daily,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “They are hardworking, loyal partners who wake up each day ready to serve.  Each of these specialized teams has dedicated time and effort to succeed on the streets, and we are excited to welcome them to our team.” 

Training the pups

As part of an extensive 11-week training, handlers and canines completed 400 hours of criminal apprehension and narcotics detection education. All teams met the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) guidelines, ultimately receiving their official title as a Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine at the graduation ceremony in Sacramento. 

Each trained canine will serve alongside a K-9 handler who is a CHP officer with vast experience, ensuring seasoned leadership behind each team. These new teams will be joining CHP offices in the following field divisions: Northern, Central, and Inland. As part of their role, they will continue to train at least eight hours a week to maintain peak readiness to protect and serve Californians.

K-9s heroes by the numbers

California will now have 53 active K-9 teams across the state, helping to remove drugs off the street and keep communities safe. 

• 37 Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine teams

• 9 Patrol and Explosives Detection Canine teams

• 5 Explosives Detection Canine teams

• 2 Narcotics Detection Canine teams

From January through September 2025, CHP K-9 teams seized nearly 7,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 5,000 pounds of cocaine, 250 pounds of heroin, 750 pounds of fentanyl and 213 firearms, demonstrating their critical role in combating drug trafficking and firearm-related crime.