After years of operating with a reduced K9 Unit, the Ventura Police Department has restored full K9 Unit strength, doubling its capacity with the addition of two newly trained police dogs and bringing the unit to four total K9s.
The expansion marks a significant investment in public safety, increasing officer safety, and strengthening the department’s ability to manage critical and high-risk incidents throughout the city and surrounding region. Officer Noah Brown is partnered with K9 Shine, purchased by local business Shine Supply, and Officer Brent Stronge is partnered with K9 Torque, funded through a donation from Automotive Racing Products (ARP). Shine Supply and ARP contributed $35,000, covering the cost of the dogs and their training.
On February 20, 2026, both dogs graduated from a six-week training academy, where they received instruction in obedience, searching, apprehension, protection work, and narcotics detection. Both dogs will eventually be trained in hard surface and urban tracking…