Retiring MBPD K-9 Receives Fond "Fur-Well"
Jan 19, 2024 11:04PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Who's that good boy looking right at the camera? Retiring MBPD K-9 Officer Koa got a special send-off on Tuesday night.
Retiring Manhattan Beach Police Department K-9 Koa received a fond "fur-well" at his End of Watch ceremony this week.
Koa, an 8-year-old German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, retired on January 12 after nearly seven years of service in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay.
With special training in patrol and narcotics, Koa has been paired with Officer David Gibbons since 2017.
Koa received a special commendation on Tuesday night from the Manhattan Beach City Council, where he was recognized as an "integral part of MBPD."
Koa has gone on more than 166 deployments for patrol and narcotics detection, resulting in 64 arrests. His work has resulted in locating and seizing more than 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl; and seizing more than $1,046,000 in related narcotics sales and/or trafficking.
Born in May 2015 and raised in Germany, Koa was acquired by Adlerhorst International K-9 training academy in Jurupa Valley (Riverside County), California in 2017 and began training with Gibbons shortly afterwards.
Police dogs typically retire after seven years of active service.
"He has now reached the age when he must put aside his duties and enjoy a
more relaxed life with Officer Gibbons and his family during his retirement
years," said Manhattan Beach Mayor Joe Franklin at the ceremony.
Although the City Council had prepared a (completely uninteresting, to a dog) resolution honoring Koa, they redeemed themselves by presenting the K-9 officer with a gift bag filled with dog toys. "We know he's not going to really enjoy that [resolution], but he will enjoy the toys that we got him and he can take them on into his retirement," said Franklin.
Koa's retirement ceremony also gave MBPD an opportunity to introduce its newest K-9, Troy, a three-year-old Dutch Shepherd.
Troy was trained in apprehension and firearm detection and began working on July 4, 2023, in Manhattan Beach with Officer Brian Cobian. Troy has already conducted 22 gun searches throughout the South Bay, resulting in 10 successful finds.
"This exemplary performance not only highlights the effectiveness of our K-9 unit but also underscores our officers' dedication and professionalism in insuring our community's safety and security," said Franklin.
Additional remarks from Franklin were drowned out by laughter from the crowd as Koa tackled his bag of gifts.
See more about MBPD's K-9 unit (and the hall of fame of retired MBPD K-9s) here.
