After completing hundreds of hours of specialized training, six new canine teams have officially joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The Department recognized the teams during a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 10 in West Sacramento, where they prepared to begin serving communities across California.
“These canine teams represent the next generation of the CHP’s specialized public safety resources,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “While each handler brings years of experience, today marks the start of new partnerships built on trust, discipline and rigorous training. Together, these teams will serve communities across California with skill, professionalism and unwavering dedication.”
The graduating class includes two Belgian Malinois, two Dutch Shepherds, one German Shepherd and, for the first time in CHP history, one Springer Spaniel.
The class consists of:
Three Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine (PNDC) teams;
One Patrol and Explosives Detection Canine (PEDC) team;
One Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) team;
One Narcotics Detection Canine (NDC) team.
Each handler is an experienced CHP officer with three to 20 years of service. Depending on their assignment, the teams completed between 240 and 600 hours of specialized training together to build the skills and trust needed for their mission.
The new teams completing the training and graduating included Officer Scott Baker and K-9 Lucv, Northern Division; Officer Casey McCarthy and K-9 Vader, Southern Division; Officer Nick Layton and K-9 Lincoln, Capitol Protection Section; Officer Matt Chevalier and K-9 Rex, Coastal Division; Officer Casey Wheeler and K-9 Joker, Valley Division; Officer Ethan Hale and K-9 Trooper, Golden Gate Division.
Sniffing Out Crime
CHP canine teams play a critical role in combating drug trafficking and illegal firearms and explosives across California.
In 2025, CHP narcotics-detection canine teams conducted nearly 1,700 enforcement searches, resulting in the seizure of more than 21,170 pounds of illegal narcotics—including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin—and more than $12.2 million in illicit currency.
During the same period, CHP patrol explosives-detection canine teams conducted more than 7,000 explosives-detection searches, resulting in the seizure of ammunition, rifles, shotguns, handguns and improvised explosive devices.
“The results speak for themselves,” Commissioner Duryee added. “Our canine teams help remove dangerous drugs, illegal weapons and explosives from California’s communities every day. Their specialized capabilities enhance officer safety and provide an invaluable tool for protecting the public.”
Growing The Pack
After the July 10 graduation, CHP has a total of 54 canine teams deployed across the state, including:
39 Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine teams;
Eight Patrol and Explosives Detection Canine teams;
Two Narcotics Detection Canine teams;
Five Explosives Detection Canine team.
