GCRTA’s new k-9 joins transit police as patrol and explosive detection officer

A new K-9 officer, Valto, has joined the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) he will be replacing Kubo as GCRTA’s only dual-purpose canine.  

GCRTA syas Valto, who is a one-year-old Belgian Malinois-Shepard mix, will be trained to handle both explosive detection and patrol. He will live with Transit Police Officer Dennis Harmon and his family. 

With a total of eight K-9 officers, the GCRTA Transit Police have more explosive detection canines on staff than any other police department in Greater Cleveland, according to the agency.  

Kubo is retiring on May 25 and Valto begins service as a GCRTA officer on May 26. Valto will use the protective vest that Kubo received from Brady’s K-9 Fund last year.  

“We are grateful for the years of service that Officer Kubo provided to the Greater Cleveland community and are excited to have Officer Valto join our department,” said Transit Police Chief John Joyce. “In addition to serving RTA, our K-9 teams are called upon to assist Greater Cleveland communities that don’t have dedicated explosive detection teams.”