Beaumont K9 Officer Retires, Celebrated At City Council Meeting

BEAUMONT, CA — Wednesday, during the Beaumont City Council Session, K9 officer Murph, a Belgian Malinois, was recognized for his upcoming retirement, the city and the department announced over social media.

The K9 officer will help transition a new K9 in the coming week, according to the department.

"We had the chance to recognize K9 Murph’s upcoming retirement after four years of outstanding service," a spokesperson for the department said. "Murph will remain part of the team during our transition to a new K9 and handler."

Corporal Christopher Crews, Murph's handler, will be promoted to Sergeant effective Friday, the department shared.

The Beaumont Police Department's Canine Detection and Patrol Program began in August of 2016, starting with Corporal/Handler Ryan Brieda and K9 Mila, a Dutch Shepherd from Brazil.

K9 Mila retired from the Beaumont Police Department in June of 2023, the department shared. She was certified in tracking and narcotics detection.

The current Beaumont Police Department Canine teams include two K9 Teams: Corporal/Handler Christopher Crews and K9 Murph, Corporal/Handler Zach Taylor and K9 Mando. K9 Mando is a Malinois/Shepherd cross, from Hungary. He is certified in patrol, handler protection and narcotics detection.

To read more about the expansion of the Beaumont Police Department's K-9 program, visit beaumontpd.org.