MBPD adds a new K-9 unit

by Sofia Williams

The Manhattan Beach Police Department has added a new K-9 unit to its ranks: Officer Brian Cobian and K-9 Troy, a 2 1/2 year-old Dutch Shepherd from Holland.

Officer Cobian and K-9 Troy joined MBPD’s ranks as a K-9 unit just three weeks ago, but Cobian has been working for MBPD since 2014. He began his career in law enforcement as a deputy in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 2012 and transitioned laterally to Manhattan Beach two years later.

To become a K-9 handler, Cobian underwent a rigorous training process. He spent seven years “decoying,” or simulating a situation in which a dog would apprehend a suspect. Cobain played the role of a suspect. In this training process, called agitating, Cobian donned a large, padded suit and took bites from dogs.

After decoying for several departments, Cobian went through an interview process, after which he was selected to become an MBPD K-9 handler.  MBPD Capt. Andrew Enriquez said Cobian’s dedication and preparation made his selection possible. 

“Officer Cobian has dedicated his time during the past several years training with and learning about the MBPD K-9 program,” Enriquez said. “He has spent countless hours volunteering as a K-9 agitator for regional training events, and he participated in ride-alongs with outside agency K-9 teams. Based on his past two annual evaluations, input from his immediate supervisors, and his participation in a recruitment and testing process for the position, Officer Cobian was selected as the newest MBPD K-9 handler.”

Cobian was then allowed to select his K-9 partner.  He said K-9 Troy stood out in several tests of the dog’s apprehension and detection skills. After selecting Troy, Cobian attended a six-week training camp —four weeks dedicated to apprehension, and two weeks focused on detection. Cobian said he chose Troy over the other available dogs because of his ability to be both friendly and driven.

“He showed a lot of drive for apprehension and detection and he was friendly,” said Cobian. “Some dogs are not so friendly, but others have the ability to turn it on and off. Troy had that ability.”

Cobain said his job now mainly entails training for various situations in which K-9 units might be necessary. Specifically, K-9 Troy is trained to detect firearms, so each day Cobian trains with him to detect spent casings, ammunition, smokeless powder, or other byproducts of firearms in a simulated situation. In addition to K-9-specific skills, says Cobian, it is important to train basic obedience.

“Even something as small as working obedience is important,” said Cobian. “When I throw a ball, he comes back, sits down, and lets go of the ball; he doesn’t go again until you let him. We even trained by opening the door to the car and making him wait to jump out. Every little thing involves some training because if there’s a situation where we have to use Troy, I have to be able to call him back to me.”

While Officer Cobian and K-9 Troy haven’t yet had to conduct any live searches, Troy was recently used in a search warrant to detect firearms in a home. Cobian hopes to continue to work with Troy to improve their compatibility and effectiveness in the field.

“It’s one of those things where you’re always working to get better in terms of obedience, detection, and all of the other things required of your unit,” said Cobian. “There are still a lot of things that I have to learn and hope to get better at. I’m still new to the program, and it feels like I’m a cop just out of the academy again.” ER