The Natick Police Department has a new member and he has four paws and an important mission.

K9 Hondo marks the return of the Natick Police Department’s K9 program!

Hondo is a 1½-year-old German Shepherd who will be partnered with his handler, Officer Christopher Keenan.

Keenan was selected for this assignment following a competitive selection process that included a group of very talented officers, the department reports.

Each candidate brought qualities that would have served them well as a K9 handler, and the department reports they have no doubt they would have done an outstanding job. 

Ultimately, Keenan was determined to be the best fit for the position at this time and was selected to take on this important assignment.

Officer Keenan and Hondo have begun a 15-week training program with the Boston Police K9 Academy.

The training will prepare them to work together as a Patrol Dog Team and will include areas such as tracking, area and building searches, evidence searches, handler protection, suspect apprehension, agility, and obedience.

The training is designed not only to develop Hondo’s skills, but also to build the strong working relationship between Hondo and Keenan that will be essential when they return to Natick and begin working together in the field.

Officer Christopher Keenan was selected to serve as Hondo’s partner. Courtesy photo