Meet K9 Tuco, the newest addition to the Cherry Hills Village Police Department!

The department is excited to announce the creation of its K9 Unit!   The department welcomes Tuco, a 14-month-old male Belgian Malinois from a long bloodline traced directly back to Belgium.

Tuco’s handler — Officer Darion Ives, — will spend the next week bonding with his new four-legged partner before attending a 10-week police canine academy. Tuco will be trained as a dual-purpose K9, which means he will be able to detect narcotics as well as track and apprehend suspects.

Although only with the Cherry Hills Village Police Department since January 2024, Ives is a highly experienced, 10-year law enforcement veteran.  K9 Tuco was purchased with a generous donation from the Cherry Hills Village Police Foundation. 

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood Village Police Department and Littleton Police Department are among other surrounding agencies that have active K9 units.