Four additional specialized K-9 teams will join the California Highway Patrol to improve public safety and provide service to Californians.

This graduating class consisted of three Belgian Malinois — Judge, Jag and Jury — and one Dutch Shepherd, Oso.

Each is trained to apprehend offenders, detect illegal drugs and enhance officer and public safety. 

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.

“Police K-9s have proven their usefulness time and again in the situations officers face daily,” 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.” 

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

The new K-9 teams are Officer Joshua Walker and K-9 Jury, Inland Division; Officer Christopher Partlow and K-9 Judge, Northern Division; Officer Christopher Keeler and K-9 Jag, Central Division; and Officer Michael Galvez and K-9 Oso, Central Division. 

Over the past 11 weeks, the four K-9 teams completed more than 400 hours of intensive training, meeting the standards set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. 

The K-9s, trained in criminal apprehension and narcotics detection, also known as Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canines, received their official certification on Friday, Nov. 7, during a graduation ceremony at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.

Each K-9 handler is an experienced CHP officer with seven to 15 years of service. Handlers were carefully paired with their canine partners based on temperament, skill and personality. 

Throughout training, the teams built strong bonds of trust and communication that will support them throughout their careers.

Following this graduation, the new K-9 teams will report to their assigned CHP Area offices to assist with patrol duties and respond to calls for service in the Northern, Central and Inland Divisions.

With this graduating class, the second of 2025, the CHP now deploys 53 K-9 teams statewide:

• 37 patrol and narcotics detection canine teams;
• 9 patrol and explosives detection canine teams;
• 5 explosives detection canine teams;
• 2 narcotics detection 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, underscoring their critical role in combating drug trafficking and firearm-related crime.

To maintain peak performance, each team completes at least eight hours of ongoing training each week, ensuring readiness for the diverse situations they encounter in the field.