The newest member of the Grand Junction Police Department is a long way from home.

Grand Junction's Newest K9 Comes From Czechoslavakia

K9 Vamos is a 2-year-old Malinois from Czechoslovakia who recently joined the Grand Junction Police Department. Vamos graduated from his K9 training academy and is now on patrol in western Colorado.

Grand Junction Police Department via Facebook
Grand Junction Police Department via Facebook
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Vamos Teams Up With Officer Hawkins

Vamos will be working in Grand Junction with Officer Trevor Hawkins. The pair is currently trained in patrol and narcotics and will continue to receive training on tracking as they work together.

Grand Junction Police Department via Facebook
Grand Junction Police Department via Facebook
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K9 Vamos Replaces Retired K9 Nero

Officer Hawkins was previously paired with K9 Nero, who recently retired from police work. Hawkins and Nero had worked together since 2015 as members of the Grand Junction Police Department. During their six years together, Officer Hawkins and K9 Nero conducted 630 narcotics detections with 430 of them resulting in the discovery of drugs including meth, cocaine, and heroin.

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K9 Vamos Completes Grand Junction K9 Unit

The other half of the Grand Junction Police Department's K9 unit is officer Joey Gonzales and his K9 Merlin, who joined the force in 2018. Merlin is certified in patrol, narcotics, and tracking. Unlike his colleague, Vamos who came to Grand Junction from the other side of the world, Merlin was selected for police work from a kennel in Utah.

Grand Junction Police Department via Facebook
Grand Junction Police Department via Facebook
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Vamos Is Ready For Action

The battle against illegal drugs in America includes what's happening right here in Grand Junction and across western Colorado. With the addition of Vamos, the Grand Junction K9 unit is once again fully-staffed and ready to continue the war on drugs in the Grand Valley.

Meet Merlin, The Loveable Grand Junction Police K9

Officer Joey Gonzales and K9 Merlin have been a part of the Grand Junction Police Department since 2018. Here is a closer look at these crime-fighting partners.

RANKED: Here Are the 63 Smartest Dog Breeds

Does your loyal pup's breed make the list? Read on to see if you'll be bragging to the neighbors about your dog's intellectual prowess the next time you take your fur baby out for a walk. Don't worry: Even if your dog's breed doesn't land on the list, that doesn't mean he's not a good boy--some traits simply can't be measured.

 

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