Meet K9 Shadow
Supporting public safety through partnership, trust, and community engagement
Officer Profile: K9 Shadow
Basics
K9’s Name
Shadow
Shadow
Breed
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois
Age
2
2
Years of Service
6 months (7/1/25 start date)
6 months (7/1/25 start date)
Handler’s Name
Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson
K9’s Official Role(s)
Dual-purpose patrol K9 with focus on narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension, article searches, and building clearing. (Examples: Patrol, Narcotics Detection, Apprehension, Tracking)
Dual-purpose patrol K9 with focus on narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension, article searches, and building clearing. (Examples: Patrol, Narcotics Detection, Apprehension, Tracking)
On The Job
What is your K9 especially good at?
He loves finding things! Boiled down, his sole purpose is to use his nose to find things: drugs, articles, and bad guys.
He loves finding things! Boiled down, his sole purpose is to use his nose to find things: drugs, articles, and bad guys.
What kind of training does your K9 do regularly?
Every shift, every time he gets out of the police car, he must find something and earn his potty break. Whether his handler tosses some bullet casings, or hides drugs on cars, he must go find it. A few times a month he goes to specialized training, and the focus is different each training session.
Every shift, every time he gets out of the police car, he must find something and earn his potty break. Whether his handler tosses some bullet casings, or hides drugs on cars, he must go find it. A few times a month he goes to specialized training, and the focus is different each training session.
What is something most people don’t realize about police K9s?
That there are so many different kinds of disciplines for working K9s. CHV has two dual-purpose patrol K9s that focus on narcotics and patrol. Other K9 disciplines may focus on bomb/explosive detection, tracking, therapy/emotional support or just apprehension.
That there are so many different kinds of disciplines for working K9s. CHV has two dual-purpose patrol K9s that focus on narcotics and patrol. Other K9 disciplines may focus on bomb/explosive detection, tracking, therapy/emotional support or just apprehension.
What does your K9 love most about working?
He lives for the hunt! Yes, he gets a reward (his ball) for doing his job, but he loves the game and thinks it is just the best thing in the world to be with dad and finding things.
He lives for the hunt! Yes, he gets a reward (his ball) for doing his job, but he loves the game and thinks it is just the best thing in the world to be with dad and finding things.
What’s one moment on duty that really showed what a great partner your K9 is?
K9 Shadow and I were dispatched to assist Englewood with an armed carjacking and the subject crashed the car and fled on-foot. K9 Shadow tracked and located the subject without anyone getting hurt. We later went back to a 6-block crime scene, and K9 Shadow did an area search and located a firearm, narcotics and additional contraband that belonged to the suspect. It was amazing to see him put all his training to work!
K9 Shadow and I were dispatched to assist Englewood with an armed carjacking and the subject crashed the car and fled on-foot. K9 Shadow tracked and located the subject without anyone getting hurt. We later went back to a 6-block crime scene, and K9 Shadow did an area search and located a firearm, narcotics and additional contraband that belonged to the suspect. It was amazing to see him put all his training to work!
Teamwork
What makes your partnership with your K9 special?
He really is my partner in crime and my best buddy. I know he will always have my back and I am never alone.
He really is my partner in crime and my best buddy. I know he will always have my back and I am never alone.
How does your K9 communicate with you when working?
We communicate through verbal commands, hand signals, and with his e-collar. He is not much of a barker...for now. He is a good listener and often I talk to him while patrolling in the city (people probably wonder why it looks like I am talking to myself in the car).
We communicate through verbal commands, hand signals, and with his e-collar. He is not much of a barker...for now. He is a good listener and often I talk to him while patrolling in the city (people probably wonder why it looks like I am talking to myself in the car).
What’s something your K9 has taught you?
Patience. He is a very smart pup...sometimes too smart. When I communicate what I need him to do in a clear and concise manner, we get along much better.
Patience. He is a very smart pup...sometimes too smart. When I communicate what I need him to do in a clear and concise manner, we get along much better.
Community Connection
Just for Fun
If your K9 had a theme song, what would it be?
Blondie – One Way or Another
Blondie – One Way or Another
If your K9 were a superhero, what would their superpower be?
The ability to never need to sleep....ever
The ability to never need to sleep....ever
Who would win in a race: your K9 or you?
Shadow does absolutely everything faster than me... so Shadow in all categories would win!
Shadow does absolutely everything faster than me... so Shadow in all categories would win!
Finish this sentence:
“My K9 is the best partner because he loves every aspect of his life and his job. He is truly my best friend.”
“My K9 is the best partner because he loves every aspect of his life and his job. He is truly my best friend.”
Cherry Hills Village Police
Foundation
2450 East Quincy Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
(720) 751-3900
