New Bern Alerts
Police Department's Newest Employee Just 2 Years Old
The New Bern Police Department is proud to welcome K9 Zorro as the newest member of its law enforcement family. A 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, K9 Zorro completed extensive training earlier this year and is fully certified in narcotics detection, tracking, and building and evidence searches. His first day on the job was October 2.
Zorro’s handler, Officer G. Salen, has been part of the K9 Unit for 13 years. He is the current handler of K9 Ax, who will retire after 8 years of service to the department. K9 Ax is credited with 862 deployments, varying from narcotics detection to tracking to building searches and to the recovery of evidence. K9 Ax will retire from service effective today (October 22). K9 Zorro will be formally introduced to the city at tonight’s Board of Aldermen meeting at 6pm in the City Hall courtroom, located at 300 Pollock Street.
K9 Zorro’s expertise will be an asset to our community. “Officer Salen and K9 Zorro are ready to hit the streets, combining their skills to serve and protect the citizens of New Bern,” said Chief Pat Gallagher. “I’m confident this duo will be successful in their ongoing efforts to keep our community safe.”
The purchase of K9 Zorro was made possible by American Rescue Plan funds appropriated by Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Aster. K9 Zorro and Officer Salen completed their joint training in September.
Zorro’s handler, Officer G. Salen, has been part of the K9 Unit for 13 years. He is the current handler of K9 Ax, who will retire after 8 years of service to the department. K9 Ax is credited with 862 deployments, varying from narcotics detection to tracking to building searches and to the recovery of evidence. K9 Ax will retire from service effective today (October 22). K9 Zorro will be formally introduced to the city at tonight’s Board of Aldermen meeting at 6pm in the City Hall courtroom, located at 300 Pollock Street.
K9 Zorro’s expertise will be an asset to our community. “Officer Salen and K9 Zorro are ready to hit the streets, combining their skills to serve and protect the citizens of New Bern,” said Chief Pat Gallagher. “I’m confident this duo will be successful in their ongoing efforts to keep our community safe.”
The purchase of K9 Zorro was made possible by American Rescue Plan funds appropriated by Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Aster. K9 Zorro and Officer Salen completed their joint training in September.