Charlie, the UC Davis Police Department’s first outreach and explosives-detection dog, is retiring after a 10-year career in which he played a key role in changing how the agency interacts with the campus community.

“The dog – he’s changed connections for us,” Police Chief Joe Farrow said. “He bridges that gap between law enforcement and community.”

Charlie, a black Labrador retriever, turned 13 years old on the same day last month that members of the UC Davis Police Department gathered in a courtyard to send him off for a relaxing life at home with his handler, Core Officer Tabbasum “Tabby” Malik ’19.

“He’s getting old and we can get him the retired life he needs,” Malik said, noting Charlie’s arthritis. Charlie retired from explosives-detection duties in 2021, focusing solely on playing and posing for photos with students, faculty and staff.