Laguna names officer for K-9 team

The Laguna Beach Police Department has chosen Zachary Fillers to be the agency’s new K-9 officer, according to a news release.

Fillers, who has been with the department since 2011, was offered the position after a competitive selection process, the release said.

The new police service dog is expected to be onboard in November. At that time, Fillers will start an intensive training program with his new partner. They are expected to be placed into service in January, according to the release.

Fillers is a 2009 Orange County Sheriff’s Academy graduate, a former cadet with the Garden Grove Police Department and a graduate of UC Irvine, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology.

A contribution from former Laguna Beach Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman, on behalf of the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach, is being used to buy the police dog, the release said.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce