Our Commitment

While deployments, arrests, and recoveries reflect the operational impact of the Santa Rosa Police Department K9 Unit, an equally important part of our mission takes place outside of enforcement. Community engagement is not secondary to our work. It is a priority.

Community events provide a meaningful opportunity for residents to connect with the officers and K9s who serve them, fostering trust, transparency, and understanding. These interactions allow the public to see the K9 Unit not only as a specialized law-enforcement resource, but as a team of dedicated professionals committed to the safety and well-being of the community they serve.

Building Trust Through Visibility and Education

K9 demonstrations, school visits, neighborhood events, and public safety days allow community members to better understand how police service dogs are trained, how they are deployed, and the standards that govern their use. Education reduces misconceptions and builds confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the unit.

For children especially, meeting a K9 in a positive, controlled environment can leave a lasting impression. These early interactions help humanize law enforcement, replace fear with familiarity, and create a foundation of mutual respect that extends well beyond a single event.

Strengthening Community Partnerships

Community events also strengthen partnerships with local organizations, schools, businesses, and supporters. These relationships are essential. They provide opportunities for dialogue, feedback, and collaboration, ensuring that the K9 Unit remains responsive to the needs and expectations of the community.

Public support plays a direct role in the success of the unit—from funding specialized equipment to supporting training, wellness, and retirement care for K9s. Community events allow the unit to show firsthand how that support translates into real-world outcomes.

A Commitment, Not an Obligation

The SRPD K9 Unit views community engagement as a responsibility, not a formality. Even with demanding schedules and high-risk operational duties, the unit makes a deliberate effort to prioritize public events whenever possible. These moments of connection reinforce the idea that effective policing is built not only on enforcement, but on relationships.

Our K9 teams serve Santa Rosa every day: both in critical incidents and in quiet moments spent answering questions, shaking hands, and letting a child meet a police dog for the first time.

Moving Forward Together

As the SRPD K9 Unit looks to the future, community involvement will remain a cornerstone of our mission. The trust built at community events strengthens the effectiveness of the unit on the street and reinforces the shared goal we all have: a safer, stronger Santa Rosa.

We are proud to serve, proud to engage, and grateful for a community that continues to support and stand with its K9 teams.