(BEDFORD) – The Bedford Police Department has a new K-9 Officer and dog.
Officer Faheem Bade and his new partner Zazu are in training this week.
The training will take eight weeks to complete.
The duo will be going through intense schooling every day until the middle of September to become a certified team.
“Our department is excited to get this team on the street, and we look forward to seeing how much they learn and grow,” said Chief Terry Moore.
Officer Faheem Bade was hired June 2, 2018.
“He showed interest in the K9 program early on in his short time here he has volunteered several hours of his time over the past two years with our K9 program.” Chief Moore added.
After deciding the department needed to retire K9 Ciro because of health concerns, Chief Moore received information from Martinsville Police Department that a K9 at a rescue center needed to be adopted.
“After speaking with individuals with learning about the dog and my knowledge about the dog and our two K9 handlers went to the rescue center to test Zazu, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois,” added Chief Moore.
Zazu is a very social working K9 and has a brother currently working for a nearby department.Â
“Officer Bade has shown the maturity and dedication to take on this new responsibility,” added Chief Moore. “We are pleased to have him and Zazu as our newest K9 team.”
