Laguna police get new K-9 officer

Laguna Beach police Officer Zach Fillers has a new housemate: a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Ranger.

The dog is the department’s latest member, which should please City Council members, Laguna Beach Police Employees Assn. President Larry Bammer and residents who publicly called for beefed-up enforcement to sniff out drugs and locate suspects. Laguna police last had a K-9 unit in 2003.

The Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach promised to raise the money to purchase the dog when the council approved adding the animal and another officer in June.

Ranger is named in honor of Officer Jon Coutchie, who served four years as an Army Ranger before joining the Laguna Beach Police Department in 2009. Coutchie died while riding his department-issued motorcycle on Sept. 21, 2013.

Ranger, who hails from Riverside, will begin a six-week training course with Fillers on Nov. 10, according to a news release.

“The initial course will focus on training Ranger to conduct building searches, apprehend fleeing felons and/or assist in overcoming the resistance of a violent subject, which will reduce the overall risk and injury to police officers and the community,” Lt. Jeff Calvert said in the release.

Fillers will also learn about the proper ways of working with Ranger in order to adhere to department policy regarding use of force, the release says.

Once Fillers is comfortable with Ranger, they will be sent to an additional five-week narcotics detection school, according to the release. Ranger will be cross-trained in apprehension and tracking of suspects and missing people.

Officer and dog will primarily work evenings but will introduce themselves to the community during daytime hours.

Ranger will make his first public appearance at the City Council meeting Nov. 18. It will be held at 6 p.m. in council chambers, 505 Forest Ave.