Santa Barbara Police Welcome K9 Kyra to the Force

Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

Just over six weeks ago, the Santa Barbara Police Department acquired Kyra, a one-year, 10-month-old, 65-pound, purebred German Shepherd. She’s been paired with Officer Lombardo, a 12-year veteran of the Police Department.

On Sunday, April 26, 2020, Kyra was certified to start patrolling with her handler.

Kyra is the first female K9 in the Department’s history. Female dogs are rare in the law enforcement world. Normally, when a professional trainer finds an outstanding female working dog, they save her for breeding. As a female, Kyra has a very strong prey drive. She is particularly good at tracking and finding narcotics.

Kyra is a dual-purpose K9. She’s been certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to participate in the apprehension of outstanding suspects and find hidden narcotics.

The Department’s trainer recruited her from a law enforcement facility in New Jersey. Kyra was bred specifically for law enforcement.

The trainer’s goal is to match the dog to the handler. It’s important to support a cohesive bond and partnership between the K9 and the handler. Kyra goes home nightly with Officer Lombardo and sleeps in an exterior kennel. She’s fed Eukanuba dry dogfood – specifically made for a German Shepherd dog.

There are currently two working K9’s at the Santa Barbara Police Department, covering each side of the week. K9 “Murdoch,” a Belgian Malinois, is paired with Officer Signorelli. Both dogs train weekly with a group from regional law enforcement agencies. The education is facilitated by a private trainer, who specializes in law enforcement K9’s.

To be a successful K9 handler, an ideal officer has tactical experience and a tenured maturity.  Officer Lombardo is a former SWAT team leader, CSI Officer, and Field Training Officer. He’s calm under pressure and acutely understands the inherently higher risk position that being a Santa Barbara Police K9 Handler brings.

The Santa Barbara Police Department’s K9 Program is funded entirely by private donations. Those donations, from generous local benefactors, pay for the purchase of the dogs, a weekly trainer, a certification program, police-oriented K9 safety gear, and each dogs’ food and medical care.