A furry friend in the force: Haverhill welcomes first-ever police K9

By Jonah Frangiosa | jfrangiosa@eagletribune.com Oct 31, 2025

HAVERHILL — The city has welcomed its first-ever furry friend to the police force: a young, black-coated recruit who will soon be ready to serve and protect.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Melinda Barrett introduced the four-legged trainee to the Haverhill Police Department: Rex, an 18-month-old German shepherd, who entered the council chambers leashed by his handler, officer Justin Graham.

Months ago, the mayor said, Graham proposed introducing a K9 to the local police department for the first time, and now the idea has come to life—with four paws, a wagging tail, a panting tongue, and badge No. 7567.

The public first said hello to Rex through Haverhill Police’s Facebook post Oct. 15, calling him its “newest (and furriest) member.” Rex has already been hard at work with Graham, attending intensive training courses centered on obedience, tracking, building and area searches, and article detection. Barrett said on Tuesday that the dog’s specialty will be in ballistics.

“This new officer,” Barrett said, gesturing toward Rex, “will give the force a whole plethora of advantages that they currently don’t have.”

Until now, Haverhill police had to call in K9 units from neighboring communities when a dog was needed for a search. With Rex on duty, the department finally has its own set of paws to sniff out the scene.

The mayor said the Stanton Foundation, based in Cambridge, will cover initial costs such as Rex’s purchase, training, vehicle retrofitting, equipment, initial veterinary care and insurance.

“It will give us an advantage for missing persons. It’s going to be a nice addition to our already really A-1 force, and I think he’s ready to be sworn in,” Barrett said, looking at the eager pup ready to take his oath.

City Clerk Kaitlin Wright conducted a lighthearted “spoof” swearing-in ceremony that had both the council and the crowd grinning from ear to ear.

“K9 Rex, if you could raise your right paw for me, please,” Wright said, prompting laughter from around the room.

As Wright read Rex’s Oath of Office, the young K9 sat excitedly with his tongue hanging out and both paws lifted by his handler. Rex’s head darted left and right around the room with bright-eyed curiosity — a little unsure of what was happening, but nonetheless, thrilled to be the center of attention.

“Do you solemnly swear to faithfully serve and protect the citizens of Haverhill to assist your handler in the pursuit of justice, to use your extraordinary senses in the service of safety, and to always accept treats as a reward for a job well done? Do you pledge to remain loyal to your partner, courageous in the face of danger, and steadfast in your duty to protect and serve, no matter the challenge ahead? If so, please affirm with a bark or a wag of your tail.” Wright said.

Graham bent down and gave his new partner’s tail an affirmative wag while Rex busily licked his handler’s hand. The ceremony concluded, and the newest member of the department was officially sworn in, which brought an eruption of applause and laughter in the council chambers.

Rex received his first on-duty reward: an orange ball, which he clamped down on proudly. But the treats didn’t end there as City Councilor Melissa Lewandowski had another gift awaiting the pup.

“This K9 deserves our support just the same as our human officers do—just so grateful that we’ve made this addition to the force. This little guy is going to be risking his life to protect us just the same as our officers do,” Lewandowski said. “At the end of the day, hopefully, he has some time for play. So, I brought this, and if he’s anything like my dog, he’ll rip this apart in about three minutes.”

Lewandowski pulled a green squeaky toy from beneath her chair and gave it a single squeak. Instantly, Rex sprang up, placing both paws on the dais, exchanging the orange ball for the new addition to his toy collection.

To ensure Rex remains well cared for, the Haverhill City Council established the Haverhill Police K9 Maintenance Fund, which will cover future costs for the department’s four-legged officer.

Barrett said that the public can donate to the dog-care, and that the city has hopes of adding another K9 to the force later down the line.