The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Southern Region K-9 Unit participated in the 4th Annual Murrieta Police Department K-9 Trials. The event is held every year to benefit Paws 4 Law Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for the Murrieta Police Department K-9 Unit and other K-9 Units within Riverside County. The event is open to the public and covers two days of events.
All monies raised by its volunteer members stay within the organization and are used to improve the performance and quality of life of active and retired police canines. This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Murrieta Police Department, Detective Waterman and his K-9 Blitz. K-9 Units were evaluated based on K-9 Drive, Teamwork, and Timed Narcotics Detection. Over 35 Law Enforcement K-9 Teams located throughout California competed for the distinguished 1st through 5th place awards.
Officer Christopher Reyes and his partner K-9 Officer Pita competed representing CDCR and the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC). Officers Reyes and Pita took first place in Building Narcotics Detection and fifth place in Narcotics Detection Evidence.

The Southern Region K-9 Unit representing CDCR brought home the following much deserved awards:
Narcotics Detection Building:
1st Place: Officer Reyes, C. and K-9 Pita (CRC)
4th Place: Officer Steele, R. and K-9 Izzy (CAL)
Narcotics Vehicle Search:
3rd Place: Officer Manrriquez, J. and K-9 Duke (CIW)
5th Place: Sergeant Duenas, R. and K-9 Gunner (CIM)
Narcotics Detection Parcel:
5th Place Officer Martin, J. and K-9 Camo (ISP)
Narcotics Detection Evidence:
5th Place Officer Reyes, C. and K-9 Pita (CRC)
A special congratulations to each K-9 Team who challenged themselves and their K-9’s, competing against other excellent K-9 teams. These awards are a representation of the hard work and dedication to training and each handler’s consistently investing time and effort in their assigned K-9’s.
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