(L-R) Acting Lieutenant Richard Padilla, K-9 Pepa, Police Officer John Lewy, K-9 Barry, Police Officer Ryan Goetz, K-9 Rex on stage at National Odor Recognition Testing (Photo – PPD)
The Pasadena Police Department’s (PPD) K-9 Unit received national recognition this week after successfully completing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Odor Recognition Testing (NORT), a premier evaluation of explosives detection proficiency for working canines across the United States.
By News Desk
Police Chief Eugene Harris announced that PPD’s three K-9s, Pepa, Barry, and Rex, not only participated in the prestigious assessment, held in Del Mar, California, but passed with flying colors. Administered annually by the ATF, the NORT is widely considered the gold standard for evaluating a canine’s ability to detect a broad range of explosive odors under rigorous, controlled conditions.
“PPD Staff consistently engages in relationship building at every level. This K-9 effort is indicative of those efforts. We will continue to seek partnerships that improve us as a full-service police department committed to community. I am proud of our K-9 staff and four-legged heroes as they represent the absolute best in the business. Thanks also to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for their continued partnership and commitment to interagency cooperation and excellence,” said Chief Harris.
Passing the NORT requires precision, focus, and consistency, qualities that underscore the K-9 Unit’s readiness to respond to real-world threats and support public safety. The achievement also highlights the effectiveness of PPD’s training programs and the deep commitment of its canine teams.
The City of Pasadena joins the Police Department in congratulating the K-9s and their human partners for their outstanding performance and dedication to protecting the community.
For more updates from the Pasadena Police Department, visit cityofpasadena.net/police or follow @pasadenapd on Instagram.
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