First Lady Marty Kemp led the celebration at the Governor’s Mansion this week for 12 dogs that formally earned their badges as K-9 officers.
Each of the dogs go through intense training regimens to learn to track suspects and detect explosives before they’re approved for service with the Georgia Capitol Police and Georgia State Patrol.
Among the dogs awarded a badge on Thursday was Rex, a 3-year-old German shepherd who Marty Kemp rescued from an animal shelter. The first lady, who hosts pet adoptions at the mansion each year, also gave each dog a box of treats after handing out the badges.
The Department of Public Safety is stepping up its K-9 program, which is expected to grow from 18 dogs in 2021 to more than 50 by next year.
“With these hardworking law enforcement assets now certified,” Marty Kemp said, “I’m so thankful for the bravery of each of these new officers and I know Georgia will be safer because of them.”
