Meet Charlie, The New Hermosa Beach Police K-9

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — The Hermosa Beach Police Department has a new K-9 officer. HBPD Officer Matt Rushton and his new pup partner Charlie are scheduled to complete training this week and begin patrolling the city on Sunday.

Officer Rushton, a four-year veteran with HBPD, was recently selected as the department's canine handler, the HBPD press release said. Charlie was chosen to join the HBPD team after a thorough search and testing of qualified dogs. The two-year-old male Springer Spaniel was born and raised in England, and then was imported to Southern California where he has been trained extensively in explosive detection, police said.

Hermosa Beach police sought out a dog trained in explosives to help protect the public during large community events held in the South Bay, the press release said. Charlie will be able to detect various explosive odors, and he has also been trained in agility, obedience and searches of vehicles, buildings, open areas, buried items, luggage and packages. He has also been trained to work in various settings, including being around people and large crowds, HBPD said.

HBPD’s last canine officer was Keef, a Labrador Retriever that retired on November 28, 2017, and now lives with his handler, Detective George Brunn. Charlie will be introduced as an official member of HBPD at the City Council Meeting on Dec. 17.

Welcome to Hermosa Beach, Charlie!