Police deputy chief details K9 program, training hours and deployment statistics

Deputy Chief PJ Baker presented a comprehensive overview of the Grand Rapids Police Department’s K9 program and its response to an OPA benchmarking study. He said the modern K9 program expanded in 1998 and currently operates nine dual‑purpose dogs (patrol plus either narcotics or explosives). "Our dogs are dualpurpose dogs," he said, describing certification standards that include tracking, area and building searches, article searches, obedience and annual recertification.

Baker presented five‑year metrics: 14,500 documented training hours across the team (2021–2025); 3,482 documented K9 applications (scenes where a K9 team was called); 631 tracks; 385 SRT assists; 347 article searches; 194 building searches; 156 public demonstrations; 84 physical apprehensions (K9 bites); and 474 arrests credited specifically to K9 deployments. He said 78 of the 84 bite victims were treated and released; six were admitted, but five of those admissions were for reasons other than the K9 bite.

Baker also described program operations: handlers keep K9s at home with families, teams undergo local and international certification, handlers receive at least six hours weekly of scheduled on‑duty K9 training, and the K9 budget is approximately $11,000 per year for food and veterinary care. He noted a 2024 fundraising drive that raised $28,000 to outfit dogs with modern ballistic vests.

No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; the briefing was informational and part of an ongoing review of K9 policy and oversight.