Two CDCR K-9s working to protect Californians are Carlitos at Calipatria State Prison and Farah at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran (SATF). Both handlers said the dogs love playing tug as a reward.
Every day, CDCR K-9s work alongside their handlers to help keep the institutions, staff and public safe. From locating contraband to assisting with criminal investigations, these highly trained officers play an important role in maintaining safety across California’s institutions.
CDCR recognizes the dedication, loyalty and service of our K-9 partners. This is the fourth in a series highlighting CDCR’s K-9s and their handlers.
>> Ares and Chino: Read the first installment.
>> Kilo and Lola: Read the second installment.
>> Bane and Ebony: Read the third installment.
Did you know? National Police K-9 Day is observed Sept. 1.
Carlitos: Calipatria State Prison
- Handler’s name: Correctional Officer R. Ortiz
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Age: 4
- Institution: Calipatria State Prison
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Years of Service: 3
- If your K-9 had a theme song it would be: “Dukes of Hazzard” theme song.
- How they like to relax when they’re not working: Playing fetch until he runs out of energy and then doing it all over again.
- Memorable moment: Carlitos searched off leash at the chiller plant in the back of the vocational area and found 242 grams of THC and 22 grams of methamphetamines in a vacuum-sealed package hidden in a sealed water pipe. Also, during one of the first air-scan operations, Carlitos displayed a change of behavior, stopping the introduction of narcotics from a visitor.
- Fun fact: Prefers playing tug instead of getting treats.
- Officer Ortiz said: “Carlitos is a trusted and loyal partner, always by my side whether I like it or not. He has taught me to have lots of patience, helping me grow as a newer K-9 handler.”
Farah: SATF
- Handler’s name: Correctional Officer J. Rizo
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Age: 2 years, 5 months
- Institution: Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran (SATF)
- Years of service: 1 year, 4 months
- If your K-9 had a theme song, it would be: The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” theme song
- How they like to relax when they’re not working: She enjoys her time away from the institutions and being on her bed in front of the fan.
- Something unexpected: The unexpected thing about Farah is her behavior and drive. She is not high driven like other Belgian Malinois. She is the complete opposite. Farah is so chill that at times I have to pull her tug out to get her motivated.
- Memorable moment: Her first narcotics discovery was 120 grams of methamphetamine in a trash can in a visiting restroom stall.
- What you enjoy about working with dogs: “I enjoy them because of how intelligent they are and how strong their sense of smell is. They are able to sniff out the presence of narcotics regardless of how faint the odor is.”
Compiled by Lisa Hamer,
Assistant to Undersecretary of Operations Jason D. Johnson
Story, graphics by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter).
Learn more about CDCR’s K-9 programs.
CDCR Dog News
Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Kona, Nala sniff out narcotics
Kona, a young CDCR K-9 at California State Prison (CSP) Los Angeles County, is learning the ropes of the job…
Read More
Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Carlitos, Farah keep community safe
Two CDCR K-9s working to protect Californians are Carlitos at Calipatria State Prison and Farah at the Substance Abuse Treatment…
Read More
Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Bane, Ebony maintain public safety
Bane, at California State Prison (CSP) Solano, and Ebony, at North Kern State Prison, are two CDCR K-9s working to…
Read More