NAHANT — The Police Department has welcomed its newest officer, a 16-month-old Belgian Malinois named Zibit, Nahant’s first K-9.
Zibit was partnered with Nahant Patrol Officer and K-9 Handler Conner Robertson at the Boston Police K-9 Academy, where Zibit recently graduated with certifications in obedience, buildings, article searches, criminal apprehension, handler protection, and tracking.
The two were paired up because Robertson’s original partner, Solo, didn’t pass the entry exam into the academy. Robertson explained that each K-9 academy has a set of reserve dogs ready to be trained in case dogs, like Solo, aren’t cleared to participate.
Zibit came from the Czech Republic to Connecticut and ultimately wound up as one of the Boston Police K-9 Academy’s reserve dogs.
“He has more stamps on his passport than I do,” Robertson joked.
He also explained how Zibit got his name.
“I’m not saying the Czech Republic is old or anything like that, but I think they’re watching old TV shows. His real name when we got him was Xzibit, so I think they’re watching ‘Pimp My Ride,’ MTV reruns (that are) like 20 years old… So his nickname, you can call him X, but I took the X out of his official name, so it’s Zibit,” Robertson said.
He emphasized that having Zibit on board is a reflection of the Department’s desire to modernize its policing practices.
“Our chief is very progressive in regards to (knowing that) policing has to adapt,” he said. “It’s not so much (having) the fancy things just to say you have the fancy things, but these things bring policing into modern day and bring it not only (to) the criminal side of things, but the community side of things.”
Robertson reflected on his relationship with his new, four-legged partner, who lives with him in Lynn.
“I started my career in Lowell out of the Air Force, and the cool thing about here, though, is sometimes you’ll be the only guy on the road, so it’s just you, and then obviously having him, it’s a lot more of a comfort to know that you really do have a partner — especially one that has unwavering loyalty,” Robertson said.
While Zibit excelled in the academy and is now able and willing to serve the Nahant community, Robertson made it clear that his training never stops. He then showcased some ways he keeps Zibit alert and practicing his skills.
Robertson grabbed a knife and a screwdriver, two unorthodox objects that Zibit may need to look for if someone he’s tracking has dropped them. Robertson asked someone to put their scent on the objects and go hide them in the grass patch adjacent to the police station.
Once that was done, Zibit was off, attached to a very long leash, keeping his nose to the ground until he found the first object: the knife. Having found the knife, he gestured to Robertson that he had found something and then quickly laid down on it.
After some positive reinforcement and confirmation that he had correctly found something, Zibit was off to find the screwdriver, which he did quickly and efficiently.
In addition to the constant reinforcement training, Robertson said he and Zibit will return to the Boston Police K-9 Academy next summer for narcotics training so he can be dual purpose.
