First CHP springer spaniel among new K-9 graduates from California academy
The California Highway Patrol graduated six canines and their handlers from the K-9 training academy in West Sacramento on Friday.
For the first time in the CHP’s history the graduating class features a springer spaniel. The other graduated canines include two Belgian Malinois, two Dutch shepherds, one German shepherd.
The 11-month-old springer spaniel, Lincoln, is an explosives detection canine and is his handler Officer Nick Layton’s first K-9 partner with CHP. The class also consists of three patrol and narcotics detection canine teams, one patrol and explosives detection canine team and a narcotics detection canine team.
Each dog and its handler completed between 240 to 600 hours of training depending on its specialty.
After graduation, each canine team will be assigned to six of the CHP’s geographic regions throughout the state.
Three of the newly graduated teams will be located in the Northern California area.
Officer Scott Baker and German shepherd Lucy will be located in the Northern Division; Officer Casey McCarthy and Dutch shepherd Vader with serve in the Valley Division; and Officer Nick Layton and springer spaniel Lincoln will be located in the Capitol Protection Section.
According to a CHP news release, in 2025 its “narcotics-detection canine teams conducted nearly 1,700 enforcement searches, resulting in the seizure of more than 21,170 pounds of illegal narcotics including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin and more than 12.2 million dollars in illicit currency.”
During the same time, CHP patrol explosive-detection canine teams conducted over 7,000 explosives-detection searches resulting in the seizure of ammunition, guns and improvised explosive devices, the release stated.
After the July 10 graduation, the CHP has a total of 54 canine teams throughout the state, including 39 patrol and narcotics detection canine teams.
This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM with the headline "First CHP springer spaniel among new K-9 graduates from California academy."
