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BPD Introduces "Jett", Partner of Officer Gray

Bellevue’s fourth K9 team has been completed with the addition of "Jett". He is an 80-pound, 20-month old Belgian Malinois. Members of the K9 Unit traveled to Denver, Indiana to test about a dozen dogs including German Shepards, Dutch Shepards and Malinois.

Officer Bartley, a senior officer with the K9 Unit explained that the dogs are evaluated with tests of courage, mental agility, physical endurance, strength and the ability to stay on task. Jett has only minimal training so far but scored the highest of all the dogs. He impressed the team with his bite strength and his considerable show of courage. Officer Bartley said in his initial evaluation, Jett showed no signs of being intimidated, "He showed complete confidence by not looking away. He was not barking in a manner that is basicaly saying stay away from me; some dogs will actually back away. Jett never took his eyes off of me, never tucked his tail between his legs, and never let his ears go flat or do anything to show me that he was nervous or scared." Jett is the new partner of Officer Gray, the newest K9 officer.

The new partners have spent only a few days training together so far. They will spend nearly three months training before they’re ready for the street as a team. Officer Gray said their training together is progressing well so far. He added, "I take great pride in working with my dog to make him the best he can be for my fellow officers and citizens of Bellevue." Both the officer and the dog are required to pass 10 weeks of very challenging training in K9 tactics. The current plan is to have the new team street-ready by the end of October.

Photo: Jett, Police Service Dog candidate