Eisenhower Health gifts Palm Springs police a new partner — a Belgian Malinois named Dwight

The Palm Springs Police Department officially welcomed its newest canine on Wednesday — a Belgian Malinois named Dwight whose arrival marks a major step toward rebuilding the department’s long-understaffed canine unit.

The approximately one-year-old police dog was introduced during a presentation at department headquarters off South Civic Drive. Dwight was made possible through a donation from Eisenhower Health.

Wednesday also marked the first official day working with his handler, Officer Max Reynoso. The pair will begin a six-month academy together on June 1, where they will train and certify as a patrol canine team.

Dwight was sourced through Adlerhorst International, a police dog training facility in Jurupa Valley. Unlike many police dogs trained using Dutch or German commands, Dwight responds to commands in Czech.

For department leadership, Dwight’s arrival represents part of a broader effort to restore a canine program that has steadily shrunk over the years through retirements and staffing losses.

The department currently has three patrol dogs, though not all are certified and deployable. Once Dwight completes academy training, PSPD expects to have three fully certified patrol dogs. A fourth canine — expected to be named Champ — is also anticipated through a separate donation from Jackie Autry, which would bring the unit to full staffing for the first time in years.

Capt. Gus Araiza said the canine unit once operated on a much larger scale. In the early 2000s, PSPD had four patrol dogs along with two detection dogs assigned to Palm Springs International Airport. Over time, retirements and funding challenges reduced the program significantly, at one point leaving only a single airport dog.

Officials say rebuilding the unit is about more than numbers.

Police canines assist with suspect apprehension, narcotics detection and searches in potentially dangerous situations, often helping officers avoid unnecessary risk.

“If there’s a burglary alarm, there’s a good chance we’re going to get out there, or we’re going to find an unsecured door, like forced entry,” Araiza said during Wednesday’s presentation. “And now we have a tool that could assist us with the search, and potentially alert if there’s somebody hiding in the bushes when we get over there.”

The department’s canine program also carries emotional significance within PSPD because of the legacy of K9 Ike, a Palm Springs police dog who was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2011.

Ike and his handler were attempting to arrest a wanted parolee when a struggle broke out and the suspect fled. Ike was released to apprehend the man, who then pulled out a handgun and opened fire, killing the dog and wounding his handler. Both officers returned fire and killed the suspect.

Ike had served with the department for two years. During that time, he conducted 259 area searches and helped apprehend 30 suspects.

Unlike many department programs, PSPD’s canine unit is funded largely through donations and community support, including proceeds from past “Run for Ike” events held in the fallen canine’s honor that have helped pay for equipment and officer training over the years.

Dwight’s name is also tied to Eisenhower Health’s namesake, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Officials said “Ike” was initially considered for the new dog, but the department ultimately chose Dwight both to honor Eisenhower and to avoid confusion with the fallen K9.

For Eisenhower Health President and CEO Marty Massiello, the donation — made possible by a new charitable effort from Eisenhower that helps raise funds for the police — was also about giving residents a way to directly support the department.

“We really love this, because it’s an opportunity for the community to be part of the release,” Massiello said. “This department is loved by the people who live here and visit, and so it’s our opportunity to say, okay, guys, you want to get involved, here’s the opportunity.”

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