After over 500 hours of training, the Bellevue Police Department’s newest four-legged cop hit the streets this month.

Týr, pronounced “Teer,” a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois that was born in Holland, was purchased by the Bellevue police in November 2016 from the Von Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. He is the first Belgian Malinois to be used as a police K-9 in Bellevue. Týr’s name is derived from the Norse god known for law and justice.

Týr’s handler, Officer Brad Knudtsen, who has worked for the Bellevue Police Department for 19 years and has been a K-9 handler for the past eight years, was previously partnered with K-9 Roc, who retired in 2016 after seven years of faithful service to the police department.

In order to be certified as a police K-9, Týr underwent an extensive training process to ensure that he had high drive and good sociability along with excellent tracking skills.

Týr was purchased with funds generously donated by the Bellevue Police Foundation. The foundation also provided funds to purchase a ballistic vest for Týr.

For more information about the Bellevue Police Foundation, go to www.bellevuepolicefoundation.org.