CHAMBLEE, Ga. —
A new Chamblee officer has entered the building and they have four legs! City leaders approved for the police department to launch a K-9 program this week.
The new program allows Chamblee to have its own K-9 unit to help with field operations, evidence, locating criminals, drugs and more. Just last year, the department requested the use of K-9s 70 times to assist with investigations, according to a press release.
“This K-9 program not only provides more safety and efficiency to our department, but will be utilized as a great outreach resource to interact socially in a positive manner with our school-aged children,” said Chamblee Interim Police Chief Gary Yandura.
The program will be initiated under Officer David Luna-Rodriguez, who is pictured below with K-9 officer Robin.
Luna-Rodriguez owns and trains the 2-year-old police dog, a Belgian Malinois from Holland. Luna-Rodriguez has been with the police department since March. He is familiar with K-9s as he has been training them for 15 years. He was also instrumental in training and donating a K-9 to the Lithonia Police Department after it loss its own, the city said.
He feels he is fully equipped to start this program.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I begin my journey in the K-9 program. K-9 Robin and I are incredibly grateful for everyone's support. We are excited to be a part of such a great community as we continue to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our communities, ” said Luna-Rodriguez.