The Beverly Hills Police Department introduced K-9 Bear to the public on Tuesday, Sept. 1, giving residents their first look at the dog on National Police K-9 Day.

Bear joined BHPD more than a year ago, the department said in a Facebook post timed to the observance. The department said Bear has been hard at work since joining the force. The annual day recognizes K-9s serving alongside law enforcement across the country, according to the post.

The department did not disclose Bear's breed, handler or specific assignment within the unit.

Canyon News first reported the introduction on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

A growing unit

The BHPD K9 Foundation lists five active K-9 teams. Four of the five dogs are Belgian Malinois, and one is a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix. Their specialties include patrol, explosives detection and narcotics detection.

The five listed teams are Officer Vela with K-9 Renzo, who joined in August 2024; Officer Diamond with K-9 Odin, who joined in January 2020; Officer Downs with K-9 Darco and Officer Sandifer with K-9 Lobo, both joining in May 2020; and Officer Kelley with K-9 Roo, who joined in August 2024. Bear does not appear on the foundation's page, which may not yet reflect the full roster.

The department also maintains a support K-9 program. Nami, an old English Labrador born in July 2021, serves as the department's support dog, according to the city's website. Donations to support Nami go through the Beverly Hills Police Foundation.

Recent community appearances

BHPD K-9s were a featured attraction at the department's National Night Out event on Aug. 4, where residents could meet the dogs and their handlers. The event listing highlighted a meet-and-greet with BHPD K-9s and support K-9 Nami.

That event was the first National Night Out under Chief Max Subin, who was sworn in as Beverly Hills' 11th police chief on Aug. 10.