The Medford Police Department’s working police dog, K9 Rico, is a German Shepherd from the Czech Republic who was bred to be a working dog.
Officer Kevin Conway is K9 Rico’s handler. Together, they became certified as a Patrol K9 team after graduating from the Massachusetts State Police K9 Patrol School on December 22, 2023. They are assigned to the Field Services Division and work patrol shifts. In 2024, Officer Conway and K9 Rico also attended the Massachusetts State Police Detection School, where Rico became trained in ballistic detection.
In September 2026, our K9, Seamus, passed away after 10 years of dedicated service to the Medford Police Department alongside his partner, Lieutenant Harry MacGilvray. Read more about K9 Seamus and his service to the Medford community here.
K9 patrol teams are trained to track suspects and missing persons, conduct building searches, and search for evidence. As a ballistic detection K9, Rico is also trained to locate firearms and ammunition through the scent associated with gunpowder and related materials.
The Medford Police K9 Unit works in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police K9 Unit, Malden Police K9 Unit, Everett Police K9 Unit, and Peabody Police K9 Unit to help provide K9 coverage for Medford and surrounding communities. The MPD K9 Unit is also available to assist neighboring cities and towns when K9 resources are needed.
The Medford Police K9 Unit performs demonstrations throughout the year for local schools, youth groups, civic organizations, and community events.