Meet Santa Rosa's Newest Officer: K9 Oso

The SRPD K9 Association is proud to announce that K9 Oso has officially graduated from K9 school and achieved dual-certification under California POST standards. Oso is a one-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois, born in Poland, who has successfully completed the demanding training and evaluation process required of working police K9s in California. He is certified in both narcotics detection and apprehension.

Oso, and his handler, Officer Jaleel, are trained by Spectrum Canine, a nationally recognized law enforcement K9 training provider known for its rigorous standards and emphasis on reliability, control, and handler-K9 teamwork. Under Spectrum Canine’s instruction, Oso and Officer Jaleel developed the foundational and advanced skills necessary to perform safely and effectively in real-world law enforcement environments.

California POST certification requires K9 teams to demonstrate proficiency across multiple disciplines, including obedience, agility, control, and job-specific operational tasks. Teams are formally evaluated to ensure consistency, accountability, and readiness for deployment in the field.

Graduation and certification mark the beginning of Oso’s career, not the end of his training. In accordance with POST requirements, K9 Oso and his handler will complete a minimum of 16 hours of documented maintenance training each month for the duration of his service. This ongoing training ensures continued performance, reinforces safety standards, and strengthens the bond between handler and K9.

K9 Oso’s achievement reflects the dedication, discipline, and professionalism required to prepare a police K9 for service. The SRPD K9 Association looks forward to supporting Oso and Officer Jaleel as they begin their careers serving the Santa Rosa community with integrity and excellence.