From KGET, Kern County Probation Socials, and CPOC Staff. 

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Probation Department has welcomed its newest, and furriest, team member.

K-9 Enzo, an all-black German Shepherd born on April 1, 2024, officially joined the department and is already prepared to help keep the community safe. Weighing 68.2 pounds, Enzo may still be young at just over a year and a half old, but officials say he brings serious training and dedication to the job.

Enzo is a dual-purpose K-9 trained in both apprehension and detection. That means he is skilled in assisting officers with suspect apprehension while also using his keen sense of smell to detect illegal substances and other contraband.

According to the department, Enzo has completed more than 500 hours of specialized training, including obedience, handler protection, scent detection and scenario-based field exercises designed to prepare him for real-world situations.

He is partnered with Senior Deputy Probation Officer A. Barrales, forming a K-9 team that will support probation searches, compliance checks and other field operations throughout Kern County. Officials say K-9 teams enhance officer safety, act as a deterrent to criminal activity and improve the efficiency of investigations.

The department described Enzo as “four paws, one badge,” emphasizing the important role he will play in strengthening public safety efforts.

With training complete and duty underway, Enzo is ready to hit the ground running, sniffing out danger and serving the community, one paw at a time.

Read the full article here and social post here.