The K-9 Program is an essential tool in the fight against crime, and provides protection for the officers and the community. When K-9 officers are not responding to calls, they patrol the business and residential areas of the city in an effort to deter and detect crime.

The canine team’s primary functions are to:

• Respond to alarm and prowler calls
• Conduct building and article searches
• Sniff out drugs
• Track suspects

Before an officer is chosen to be a canine handler, the officer goes through a testing process. The officer must show a unique dedication toward the canine unit, and must have accommodations at home for their new partner. The K9 unit uses German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois.

The police officer handler will go through a sixteen week initial training session. The bonding between the officer and the canine is very important during this time. In order to solidify this bonding, training is ongoing throughout the partnership of the canine team. When the handler is not working, the canine stays at home with the handler and his or her family. Retired dogs normally live with handlers for the rest of their lives.

The Fullerton Police Department K-9 program currently consists of three patrol K-9's and their handlers: Corporal Bouchet and K-9 Echo, Corporal Franco and K-9 Goose and Corporal Velazquez and K-9 Alpha.

History

The Police K-9 Program began in 1983 with three K-9 Teams.

The original K-9 Teams were:

• Officer Villanueva & K-9 Nick
• Officer Kirst & K-9 Caro
• and Officer Gillette & K-9 Barney

Barney, Caro and Nick were purchased with funds raised through donations made to the Fullerton Police K-9 Program.

Facility Dog

Motivation and support comes in many forms, including a cold nose and a warm heart. The Fullerton Police Department welcomed its newest staff member, Canine Companions for Independence Facility Dog, K-9 Nubbin. K-9 Nubbin and her new partner, PSR Kristy Wells, will be working with those affected by traumatic events, and they’ll also be conducting outreach at community, school, and police events.

Since 1975, Canine Companions has bred, raised and expertly trained assistance dogs in over 40 commands designed to assist people with disabilities, to motivate and inspire clients with special needs, and to interact with victims/witnesses in a calm and appropriate way. K-9 Nubbin was selected to work in law enforcement because of her unobtrusive and calm demeanor, which is necessary in a criminal justice setting.

The estimated cost of a highly trained Canine Companions facility dog like K-9 Nubbin, and all follow up support, is approximately $50,000.00, however each facility dog is provided at no cost. Canine Companions depends on the support of tens of thousands of donors and volunteers to match our facility with an assistance dog like K-9 Nubbin entirely free of charge.

The Fullerton Police Department is incredibly excited about K-9 Nubbin joining the ranks of our organization. Fullerton Police Department, are grateful that Canine Companions has entrusted our police organization to be the first law enforcement agency in Orange County to be placed with a Facility Dog, and we know that K-9 Nubbin will have a lasting positive impact on not just our community, but all of Orange County as she provides support and comfort.

Facility Dog Handler -Public Information Specialist K. Wells (714) 738-6779 or kwells@fullertonpd.org

Donations

If you would like to help continue this valuable law enforcement program, you can make a tax deductible donation to the Fullerton Police K-9 Program, 237 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832.