Crime & Safety
El Cerrito Officer, K9 Partner Win Award at Annual Competition in Visalia
K9 units from around the state compete in agility, handler protection, vehicle and building searches drills during the competition.
El Cerrito, CA— A police officer and his K9 partner won an award at the 31st Annual Sierra K9 Trials in Visalia earlier this month, according to police.
Police said Cpl. Mike Hernandez and partner Denzel won 5th place for their work in the Narcotic Vehicle Searches category at the competition.
Held at Plaza Park Raceway, the trial is a law enforcement canine and handler competition that invites K9 units from around the state to compete in agility, handler protection, vehicle and building searches drills.
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The El Cerrito police department's K9 program consists of two officers and their four legged partners who cross train in handler protection and narcotic searches and tracking, according to police.
The officers both work and live with their dogs, caring for and training them even when off-duty.
Police said this was the first competition entered by Cpl. Hernandez and Denzel.
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By Bay City News
Photo courtesy Shutterstock