After seven years of outstanding service, Jacquo, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois from France, is retiring from the Marietta Police Department (MPD) in Georgia. Jacquo has been partnered with K-9 handler Officer Powel throughout his entire service at the MPD, and has a string of qualifications that prove he is among the most proficient canine officers in the police force.
The Marietta Police Department announced on March 15 that Jacquo maintained a full patrol police dog certification through the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) as well as the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA). This means that Jacquo was trained and certified in narcotics detection, article search, tracking, obedience, and criminal apprehension.
Jacquo’s career accolades prove that he is one of the most distinguished police dogs out there. Throughout his career, he has been deployed for over 530 times and has been instrumental in over 181 arrests that were related to his training and certification. He was also an active participant in school demonstrations and was well-known among the public. He was found to be reliable, focused, and tenacious by the MPD officers who worked with him throughout the years.
One user even said, “My husband and I would see Jacquo and Officer Powell at times around the Square. It was always special to see this magnificent, alert canine officer. Our best to Jacquo in his retirement!”
The Marietta Police Department thanked Jacquo for his years of service and wished him “plenty of rest, steak dinners, and belly rubs in his retirement.”
Jacquo’s retirement highlights the exceptional role police dogs play in maintaining law and order. Police dogs are bred and trained to be effective crime fighters and to protect their handlers. They are valuable assets to law enforcement agencies, thanks to their keen sense of smell, their speed, agility, and their loyalty to their handlers.
The role of police dogs goes beyond fighting crime. They are often deployed in natural disasters to search for missing people, find survivors, and, in some cases, recover human remains. Police dogs also participate in community outreach programs where they educate citizens, particularly children, about their duties, skills, and importance in maintaining public safety.
Police dogs deserve high levels of care and attention, both in active service and in retirement. As such, they tend to require specialized diets and medical care, advanced training, and a comfortable environment, especially in their old age. Retired police dogs, like Jacquo, should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, including access to top-notch veterinary care, adequate shelter, and a comfortable retirement.
In conclusion, Jacquo’s retirement from the Marietta Police Department exemplifies the essential role of police dogs in maintaining public safety. These intelligent and loyal animals work tirelessly alongside their human counterparts to keep the public safe. Jacquo has earned a well-deserved retirement, and his contributions to the police department and the public will always be remembered.
