Meet the CDCR K‑9s: Skipper, Tokyo, Yankee

September 3, 2026

Three CDCR K-9s assisting their handlers to help keep institutions safe are Skipper, Tokyo and Yankee.

Skipper and Correctional Officer S. Cisneros work at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.
Tokyo and Correctional Officer M. Nunley are based out of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
Yankee and Correctional Officer R. Dopwell work at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

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 ninth in the series highlighting CDCR’s K-9s and their handlers.

K-9 Officer Skipper in trading card style.

Skipper: Sierra Conservation Center

Handler’s name: Correctional Officer A. White
Breed: Belgium Malinois
Age: 5 years, 6 months
Institution: Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown
Years of service: 3 years
If your K-9 had a theme song, it would be: “All I Do is Win” by DJ Khaled.
How they like to relax when they’re not working: Skipper likes to play in the backyard and snuggle on the couch with the family.
Memorable moment: Once he detected narcotics inside a guitar, lunging forcefully toward the source. His eyes were wide, his gaze darting from side to side as he repeatedly pointed his nose toward the guitar.
Fun fact and a silly story: Skipper is afraid of the wooden animal statues in front of the foyer at Sierra Conservation Center. The first time he noticed them, he about came out of his skin and jumped into my arms. He is a very silly and loving boy. Always seeking my love and affection. He is very poised and proper when he is on lead walking into searches. A lot of the other handlers call him Mr. Jeeves. So, I got him a bunch of bowties he gets to wear when he is not on duty.

Tokyo: San Quentin Rehabilitation Center

Handler’s name: Correctional Officer M. Nunley
Breed: Dutch shepherd
Age: 2 years
Institution: San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
Years of service: 1
If your K-9 had a theme song, it would be: “Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm
How they like to relax when they’re not working: Lying around in the back yard.
Fun fact: Loves to search and find every ball that the kids leave out in the yard.

Yankee: RJ Donovan Correctional Facility

Handler’s name: Correctional Officer R. Dopwell
Breed: Yellow labrador retriever
Age: 7 years
Institution: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego
Years of service: 5
If your K-9 had a theme song, it would be: “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.
How they like to relax when they’re not working: Yankee loves to sunbathe in the back yard and get his luxurious blonde hair brushed.
Memorable moment: While giving Yankee a bathroom break while off duty, he found a contraband cell phone in the bushes.
Fun fact: Yankee loves tortillas.
Anything else you’d like to add? Yankee has an amazing drive and absolutely loves the hunt and his Job. He goes all out and gives 100 percent even when he’s tired

Learn more about the CDCR K-9s:

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

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Learn more about CDCR’s K-9 programs.