Behind the Badge
It has become a must-go event for the La Habra community.
Once a year, the La Habra Police Department invites residents to experience what it’s like to keep the community safe in a hands-on Open House that draws hundreds.
Residents on Oct. 22 took tours of the station, watched as motor officers displayed their skills and learned about La Habra PD’s unique K-9 program, which not only includes patrol K-9s but drug detection and crisis dogs, as well.
Attendees got an up-close look at the tools and equipment officers use in their jobs every day and an inside look at a North County SWAT vehicle.
Keith Yost,10, said he looks forward to the event every year.
“The K-9 show is my favorite part because I know all the K-9s and get to take pictures with them and pet them and I get to see what they do when they’re out there trying to get the bad guys,” he said. “Prinz is my favorite because one time there was a bad guy in our neighborhood and Prinz found him and bit the guy in the butt.”
Yost, who really could name all of La Habra PD’s K-9s, said he wants to one day become a police officer and eventually join North County SWAT.
“First of all, SWAT has really cool cars, and they are the ones who come in when something really bad is happening,” he said. “I like to help people. If I am helping someone I’d be very happy and very grateful.”
Take a look at some highlights from this year’s event:
Cpl. Paul McPhillips leads a tour of La Habra’s police headquarters during the department’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Bobby, a 4-year-old drug dog with the La Habra PD, gets his reward toy after finding the hidden drugs during a demonstration for La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Bobby, a 4-year-old English Springer Spaniel drug dog with the La Habra PD runs with his reward toy after finding the hidden drugs during a demonstration for La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Six-year-old Aaiden Magana of La Habra gets to hold the full weight of a battering ram under the supervision of La Habra PD Officer Kevin Love during the police department’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Four-year-old Kalel Carrera of La Habra checks out a magnifying glass at the CSI booth for La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Christina Nunez, CSO (Community Services Officer), shows kids how to bring out fingerprints the kids left on a mirror at the CSI booth for La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids check out various weapons confiscated by police during La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids come up to pet Bobby, a 4-year-old English Springer Spaniel drug dog with the La Habra PD at the end of his demonstration for La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Emerson, a crisis K-9 with the La Habra PD, has his share of fans who want to come up and pet him during La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
La Habra PD’s SWAT member Nate Garcia describes the use of a less lethal weapon during La Habra PD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Parents and kids alike checkout La Habra PD’s jail during a tour for the department’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
La Habra Motor Officer Tam Do holds 5-month-old Rosebella Osuna who had her own police uniform on during LHPD’s open house.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
