The Newman Police Department got to welcome a new member to the team. There’s no word on how she is at shaking hands.

Newman Police Officer Angel Murillo and his new partner K9 Kilo successfully completed a rigorous eight week training course, resulting in the pair certifying in both patrol and narcotics detection.

K9 Kilo is a two year old female Belgian Malinois. Originally from Holland, K9 Kilo was brought to America by Adlerhorst International based in Southern California. 

In November 2023, K9 Kilo was purchased by the Newman Police K9 Association thanks to funds donated by the Corson Foundation that helped complete the purchase.

Officer Murillo and K9 Kilo began their lengthy training regiment with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s K9 Unit on Nov. 20, 2023 and graduated Jan. 18.

Officer Murillo joined the Newman Police Department in June of 2021 after previously having served with the Hercules Police Department. He is a graduate of Class 46-19 of the San Joaquin Delta College Police Academy. In being selected to the position of K9 handler, Officer Murillo has achieved one of his career goals. 

K9 Kilo is our agency’s first dual purpose K9. She is also the agency’s second female K9 and second narcotics detection K9 with the first in both categories being K9 Sam, who was previously handled by Cpl. Ronil Singh.

The police department also has K9 Gizmo in service.

The Newman Police K9 Association was established in 2008 as a means to fund the Newman Police K9 Unit. The Association takes on the lion’s share of the financial responsibilities for the K9 unit and the care and well-being of the dogs after they retire. Their annual crab feed is their sole source of fundraising.

“We would like to thank the Corson Foundation, Adlerhorst International, our partners at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, and all of the Newman Police K9 Association supporters who have made our K9 Unit so successful,” the department stated on their Facebook page.