St. Louis Park Welcomes New K9 Officer Rolo, Enhancing Public Safety Capabilities

St. Louis Park Welcomes New K9 Officer Rolo, Enhancing Public Safety Capabilities

ST. LOUIS PARK, MN – June 2, 2025 – The City of St. Louis Park officially welcomed its newest four-legged member to the police force as Mayor Nadia Mohamed administered the ceremonial oath of office to K9 Officer Rolo at the City Council meeting on Monday, June 2nd. This addition signifies a continued commitment to advanced public safety resources within the community.

K9 Rolo, a skilled Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd, recently completed a rigorous 12-week training program alongside his dedicated handler, Officer Joseph LeFevere. Originally from Slovakia, Rolo is expertly trained in crucial areas including tracking, searches, and explosives detection. Together, Officer LeFevere and K9 Rolo are poised to significantly enhance the St. Louis Park Police Department's operational capacity and public safety efforts.

Rolo's appointment follows the successful integration of K9 Maverick in 2023, marking the ongoing expansion of the department's K9 unit. These highly trained canine officers are invaluable assets due to their superior olfactory senses, which are approximately 50 times more acute than those of humans. This allows them to excel in detecting narcotics, explosives, and locating missing persons, providing critical support to law enforcement operations.

A Modern Approach to Community Safety

Mayor Nadia Mohamed, who made history in 2023 as the nation's first Somali American mayor, underscored the department's dedication to incorporating modernized community safety tools. As stated by the City of St. Louis Park, "Rolo’s primary role will be assisting with searches, tracking, explosives detection—and being a very good boy."

Officer LeFevere and K9 Rolo are set to begin active duty next week, providing essential support in narcotics operations, public safety outreach initiatives, and emergency response scenarios.

Expanding the K9 Program for Enhanced Law Enforcement

The expansion of K9 programs reflects a proven strategy for enhancing law enforcement capabilities. In St. Louis Park, the introduction of both Maverick and Rolo demonstrates a growing commitment to innovative, community-responsive public safety initiatives. These specialized units play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.

MinneapoliMedia