Meet Our K9 Crimefighters: Chico, Duke, B. Rex, and Bam Bam!
On April 20, the San Diego Police Department’s K9 Unit celebrated the graduation of four canines from the specialized unit’s academy, an accomplishment that was shared with the friends and family of our K9 officers. Handlers and their canine partners undertake academy training together, forming their bond from the minute the canine joins the Department.
Over the past 20 years, every SDPD service dog has been purchased through the San Diego Police Foundation with funds generously donated by the community, including our most recent graduating class, where we welcomed a new beloved pup: “Bam Bam”.
You may remember the heart-wrenching accident from the summer of 2021, when Jamie Huntley-Park and her husband Ryan Park, both SDPD Detectives, were killed by a wrong-way driver. The Huntley family, Jamie’s parents, have honored her life with a generous K9 Champion donation. As an ice hockey player, Jamie went by the nickname “Bam Bam,” and now, “Bam Bam” the canine has been named in her honor and will continue Jamie’s mission to protect and serve San Diego.
Because of donors, SDPD’s K9 Unit is recognized as one of the best in the country. These specialized canines safeguard public events, find missing persons, locate evidence, and most of all, de-escalate very dangerous situations, preventing shootings and preserving life.
Last year, the K9 Unit responded to approximately 21,000 calls, working 24/7 throughout the entire city, benefiting all our communities.
Donations can provide for important needs like specialized canine equipment and funding new dogs that will follow in the paw prints of one of our soon-to-be retiring K9 Crimefighters.