South Bay Police K-9 Aces Real-World Tests

GILROY, CA — A police K-9 who impressed in the classroom is helping make the South Bay streets a little safe.

After graduating from a 160-hour narcotics detection school in May, "Kuma" is applying lessons learned in the classroom and is so far acing real-world tests, the Gilroy Police Department said.

Kuma is considered a multi-purpose K-9 used for criminal apprehension, narcotics detection, and SWAT operations and has teamed up with partner Officer Yamamoto in two narcotics arrests since graduating from narcotics school, police said.

Gilroy officers on July 8 responded to the area of Alexander Street and Ninth Street after a citizen complained narcotics use in the area.

“Kuma was called in to assist the officers and conducted a search of the vehicle,” police said.

“Kuma immediately located narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia inside the vehicle.”

In a separate case on July 9, Kuma located narcotics and paraphernalia during the search of a suspected stolen vehicle.

“These are just a couple examples of the work our K-9 teams are doing on a regular basis to keep our community safe,” police said.