Video above: Insight into fentanyl
A new generation of crime-fighting canines has officially joined the California Highway Patrol, with six highly trained K9 teams now deployed across the state — and for the first time, these dogs are hitting the streets trained from day one to detect fentanyl.
Announced Friday by the Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office, the new K9 unit includes five Belgian Malinois and one German Shepherd. The teams have completed months of intensive training aimed at improving public safety and addressing the growing threat of fentanyl, as well as other illicit substances.
“These new K-9 teams have demonstrated incredible dedication and skill throughout their training,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “They’re not just protecting our communities—they’re enhancing our department’s ability to fight crime and save lives.”
This latest class marks a historic milestone for the CHP, becoming the first to receive instruction specifically on fentanyl detection during initial training — a direct response to California’s escalating opioid crisis. In 2024 alone, CHP K9 units were involved in the seizure of nearly 823 pounds of fentanyl statewide, authorities confirmed.
Governor Newsom praised the initiative, saying, “With every class of canine officers, we add specialized capacity to meet the needs of the changing criminal landscape. These K9 teams will be taking dangerous drugs off the streets and keeping communities safer.”
The new teams have completed rigorous training hours depending on their specialization, as broken down below:
- Patrol and Narcotics Detection Teams: 440 hours
- Narcotics Detection Teams: 240 hours
- Patrol and Explosives Detection Teams: 600 hours
All graduates met the standards set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards. The K-9s will continue to train at least eight hours per week to maintain peak readiness.
The newly assigned officers represent CHP’s Coastal, Golden Gate, Valley, Border, and Inland divisions. Among the six new teams are:
- Three Patrol and Narcotics Detection K9 units
- One Patrol and Explosives Detection K9 unit
- Two Narcotics Detection K9 units
The CHP now operates a total of 50 active K9 teams throughout California. With fentanyl overdoses continuing to rise, these newly graduated canine officers are expected to play a vital role in curbing the flow of deadly drugs and reinforcing safety across the state.
For more information about CHP initiatives and public safety efforts, visit CHP.ca.gov.