Joplin Police introduce two new K9 officers

The Joplin Police Department has introduced its two newest K9’s.

K9 Bolt, along with his handler Officer Adam Brannin, and K9 Max, along with his handler Officer Ron Donahue, have completed their training and are now out on the street serving the City of Joplin.

K9 Bolt is a 16-month-old Belgian Malinois. He is assigned to Officer Adam Brannin, who has been with Joplin PD since 2008. This will be Officer Brannin’s 3rd K9 here at Joplin. His previous K9, Ben, retired in May of this year.

K9 Max is a 18-month-old German Shepherd. He is assigned to Officer Ron Donahue, who has worked for Joplin PD since 2021. This will be his first K9 assignment.

Both of these K9’s have been completed all of their training in narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension, and obedience through Patriot K-9 Training.

With them now in service, the Joplin K9 Unit is now back to five working dogs at the police department.

The newest K9’s were acquired through the fiscal year 2024 budget after the two previous K9’s were retired due to recent changes in Missouri’s marijuana law.