ROOKIE
‘Rookie’ is a Belgian Malinois handled by Novato Police K9 Officer Angel Macias.
Officer Macias has been employed by the Novato Police Department since 2016 and became a K9 handler in 2019 after he completed an extensive training program with Rookie which included handler protection, apprehension and narcotics training.
Officer Macias and ‘Rookie’ now spend at least 16 hours a month of training to maintain his police K9 certification.
Rookie works each shift with Officer Macias, ensuring the safety of him and other officers, as well as the Novato community as a whole. As the only current active police K9 in Marin County, Rookie has been deployed to assist other departments with looking for suspects or tracking missing people.
“The best part of being a canine handler is having your best friend there at work with you,” said Officer Macias.
KOA
Novato Police Department K9 ‘Koa’ retired in 2019 after serving the community for five years. He continues to live with his former handler Corporal Sean Sinnot.
While ‘Koa’ was an active police K9, he worked on suspect apprehension, narcotic detection and handler protection. He was also active with Corporal Sinnot in the community, attending events and any requested service calls.
“He loved working and I loved working with him. The second he got in the police car he turned into a puppy. He was excited and so happy to be there,” said Corporal Sinnot.
Now in retirement, Koa enjoys being lazy, napping on the couch, playing with toys and going on walks.
“He has a fantastic life in retirement,” said Corporal Sinnot.
KODA
This 2.5 year old Dutch Shepherd is one of our newest imports and will be a great addition to this program & very supportive K9 leadership and will partner with Officer Alan Solana.
The Novato Police Department invited all 4th graders in Novato to participate in naming our new police dog. With almost 200 entries, picking just one was no walk in the park!
ROOKIE
‘Rookie’ is a Belgian Malinois handled by Novato Police K9 Officer Angel Macias.
Officer Macias has been employed by the Novato Police Department since 2016 and became a K9 handler in 2019 after he completed an extensive training program with Rookie which included handler protection, apprehension and narcotics training.
Officer Macias and ‘Rookie’ now spend at least 16 hours a month of training to maintain his police K9 certification.
Rookie works each shift with Officer Macias, ensuring the safety of him and other officers, as well as the Novato community as a whole. As the only current active police K9 in Marin County, Rookie has been deployed to assist other departments with looking for suspects or tracking missing people.
“The best part of being a canine handler is having your best friend there at work with you,” said Officer Macias.
KOA
Novato Police Department K9 ‘Koa’ retired in 2019 after serving the community for five years. He continues to live with his former handler Corporal Sean Sinnot.
While ‘Koa’ was an active police K9, he worked on suspect apprehension, narcotic detection and handler protection. He was also active with Corporal Sinnot in the community, attending events and any requested service calls.
“He loved working and I loved working with him. The second he got in the police car he turned into a puppy. He was excited and so happy to be there,” said Corporal Sinnot.
Now in retirement, Koa enjoys being lazy, napping on the couch, playing with toys and going on walks.
“He has a fantastic life in retirement,” said Corporal Sinnot.
NEW DOG
This 2.5 year old Dutch Shepherd is one of our newest imports and will be a great addition to this program & very supportive K9 leadership. This new addition will partner with Officer Alan Solana.
Many thanks to the Novato Unified School District for teaming up with the students on the paw-some project of naming our newest dog. With almost 200 entries, picking just one was no walk in the park!
A special shout out to one lucky 4th grader at Pleasant Valley Elementary for submitting the name “Koda” and winning the pizza party for their class!
ROOKIE
‘Rookie’ is a Belgian Malinois handled by Novato Police K9 Officer Angel Macias.
Officer Macias has been employed by the Novato Police Department since 2016 and became a K9 handler in 2019 after he completed an extensive training program with Rookie which included handler protection, apprehension and narcotics training.
Officer Macias and ‘Rookie’ now spend at least 16 hours a month of training to maintain his police K9 certification.
Rookie works each shift with Officer Macias, ensuring the safety of him and other officers, as well as the Novato community as a whole. As the only current active police K9 in Marin County, Rookie has been deployed to assist other departments with looking for suspects or tracking missing people.
“The best part of being a canine handler is having your best friend there at work with you,” said Officer Macias.
KOA
Novato Police Department K9 ‘Koa’ retired in 2019 after serving the community for five years. He continues to live with his former handler Corporal Sean Sinnot.
While ‘Koa’ was an active police K9, he worked on suspect apprehension, narcotic detection and handler protection. He was also active with Corporal Sinnot in the community, attending events and any requested service calls.
“He loved working and I loved working with him. The second he got in the police car he turned into a puppy. He was excited and so happy to be there,” said Corporal Sinnot.
Now in retirement, Koa enjoys being lazy, napping on the couch, playing with toys and going on walks.
“He has a fantastic life in retirement,” said Corporal Sinnot.
NEW DOG
This 2.5 year old Dutch Shepherd is one of our newest imports and will be a great addition to this program & very supportive K9 leadership. The Novato Police Department is inviting all 4th graders in Novato to participate in naming our new police dog.
This new addition will partner with Officer Alan Solana. Next month, you may see them out in the community. More to come …
Our mission is to partner with the Novato Police Department for the acquisition of canines, to assist in their healthcare needs, to provide support for their training and to foster good relations between the Police Department and the community.
Our mission is to partner with the Novato Police Department for the acquisition of canines, to assist in their healthcare needs, to provide support for their training and to foster good relations between the Police Department and the community.
Our mission is to partner with the Novato Police Department for the acquisition of canines, to assist in their healthcare needs, to provide support for their training and to foster good relations between the Police Department and the community.
About Us
The Novato Police Department canine program was established more than 25 years ago and has proven to be an invaluable policing tool. Public and officer safety are the number one priority of the Novato Police Department, which is why our canine’s and handlers must undergo a robust training program, as well as participate in ongoing training with certified police dog instructors.
Program Funding and Ongoing Costs
The Novato Police Department has a limited budget allocated to the K9 program, which covers dog and handler training, and insurance.
Other expenses that arise, such as ongoing or future medical care for retired police dogs, are not covered in the NPD budget.
Through community and individual donor support of the Novato Police K9 Foundation, NPD can continue to responsibly utilize police canines and ensure they receive the care they need.
The Novato K9 Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
Novato police canines have been used in a variety of everyday police scenarios, including:
-
Suspect de-escalation & apprehension
-
Suspect tracking
-
Police officer protection
-
Narcotics, explosive and/or evidence detection
-
Missing people searches
-
Stolen vehicle response
-
Alarm response
-
Perimeter assists
-
Building/area searches
-
Community demonstrations/engagement
About Us
The Novato Police Department canine program was established more than 25 years ago and has proven to be an invaluable policing tool. Public and officer safety are the number one priority of the Novato Police Department, which is why our canine’s and handlers must undergo a robust training program, as well as participate in ongoing training with certified police dog instructors.
Program Funding and Ongoing Costs
The Novato Police Department has a limited budget allocated to the K9 program, which covers dog and handler training, and insurance.
Other expenses that arise, such as ongoing or future medical care for retired police dogs, are not covered in the NPD budget.
Through community and individual donor support of the Novato Police K9 Foundation, NPD can continue to responsibly utilize police canines and ensure they receive the care they need.
The Novato K9 Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
Novato police canines have been used in a variety of everyday police scenarios, including:
-
Suspect de-escalation & apprehension
-
Suspect tracking
-
Police officer protection
-
Narcotics, explosive and/or evidence detection
-
Missing people searches
-
Stolen vehicle response
-
Alarm response
-
Perimeter assists
-
Building/area searches
-
Community demonstrations/engagement
About Us
The Novato Police Department canine program was established more than 25 years ago and has proven to be an invaluable policing tool. Public and officer safety are the number one priority of the Novato Police Department, which is why our canine’s and handlers must undergo a robust training program, as well as participate in ongoing training with certified police dog instructors.
Program Funding and Ongoing Costs
The Novato Police Department has a limited budget allocated to the K9 program, which covers dog and handler training, and insurance.
Other expenses that arise, such as ongoing or future medical care for retired police dogs, are not covered in the NPD budget.
Through community and individual donor support of the Novato Police K9 Foundation, NPD can continue to responsibly utilize police canines and ensure they receive the care they need.
The Novato K9 Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
Novato police canines have been used in a variety of everyday police scenarios, including:
-
Suspect de-escalation & apprehension
-
Suspect tracking
-
Police officer protection
-
Narcotics, explosive and/or evidence detection
-
Missing people searches
-
Stolen vehicle response
-
Alarm response
-
Perimeter assists
-
Building/area searches
-
Community demonstrations/engagement
Meet Our Board
Keith Wheeler
Keith’s professional goal is to offer his experience to his clients so they can pursue financial independence given the resources they have available. The business of Wall Street is about managing risk, not profit. With over thirty years in the financial industry, he has covered some of the largest fixed income portfolio managers in the country. He has covered multi-billion dollar pension funds through turbulent times and he brings that unique market experience to your portfolio with an even greater appreciation for how hard you worked to attain your wealth.
Keith has always been involved in his hometown community of Novato California. He was extremely active in coaching both baseball and soccer when his boys were young. He served on the Board of the Novato Youth Soccer League and was an age group coordinator.
Keith was born and raised in New York and has been a Novato resident for 40 years. He has served for five years as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of Leadership Novato Class of 2023 where the Novato Police K9 Foundation was originally started. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation since its inception.
Dan Hanlon
I was born and raised in San Rafael, Ca. Attended St Raphael’s and San Rafael High School, later medically retiring from the San Rafael Police Department after a very enjoyable 36 career. In 2000, I co-founded the non-profit SantaCop program that provides Christmas cheer to underprivileged children throughout Marin County.
Married and residing in Novato since 1990, my wife has us very involved in Golden Retriever Rescue. I am a two time, national Grand President of the International Footprint Association (pro public safety social organization) and I also am a past Nobel Arch of the Novato Druids, and I am on the Advisory Board of the Marin Salvation Army and Lead the Emergency Response feeding Canteen team.
Meet Our Board
Keith Wheeler
Keith’s professional goal is to offer his experience to his clients so they can pursue financial independence given the resources they have available. The business of Wall Street is about managing risk, not profit. With over thirty years in the financial industry, he has covered some of the largest fixed income portfolio managers in the country. He has covered multi-billion dollar pension funds through turbulent times and he brings that unique market experience to your portfolio with an even greater appreciation for how hard you worked to attain your wealth.
Keith has always been involved in his hometown community of Novato California. He was extremely active in coaching both baseball and soccer when his boys were young. He served on the Board of the Novato Youth Soccer League and was an age group coordinator.
Keith was born and raised in New York and has been a Novato resident for 40 years. He has served for five years as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of Leadership Novato Class of 2023 where the Novato Police K9 Foundation was originally started. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation since its inception.
Dan Hanlon
I was born and raised in San Rafael, Ca. Attended St Raphael’s and San Rafael High School, later medically retiring from the San Rafael Police Department after a very enjoyable 36 career. In 2000, I co-founded the non-profit SantaCop program that provides Christmas cheer to underprivileged children throughout Marin County.
Married and residing in Novato since 1990, my wife has us very involved in Golden Retriever Rescue. I am a two time, national Grand President of the International Footprint Association (pro public safety social organization) and I also am a past Nobel Arch of the Novato Druids, and I am on the Advisory Board of the Marin Salvation Army and Lead the Emergency Response feeding Canteen team.
Meet Our Board
Keith Wheeler
Keith’s professional goal is to offer his experience to his clients so they can pursue financial independence given the resources they have available. The business of Wall Street is about managing risk, not profit. With over thirty years in the financial industry, he has covered some of the largest fixed income portfolio managers in the country. He has covered multi-billion dollar pension funds through turbulent times and he brings that unique market experience to your portfolio with an even greater appreciation for how hard you worked to attain your wealth.
Keith has always been involved in his hometown community of Novato California. He was extremely active in coaching both baseball and soccer when his boys were young. He served on the Board of the Novato Youth Soccer League and was an age group coordinator.
Keith was born and raised in New York and has been a Novato resident for 40 years. He has served for five years as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of Leadership Novato Class of 2023 where the Novato Police K9 Foundation was originally started. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation since its inception.
Dan Hanlon
I was born and raised in San Rafael, Ca. Attended St Raphael’s and San Rafael High School, later medically retiring from the San Rafael Police Department after a very enjoyable 36 career. In 2000, I co-founded the non-profit SantaCop program that provides Christmas cheer to underprivileged children throughout Marin County.
Married and residing in Novato since 1990, my wife has us very involved in Golden Retriever Rescue. I am a two time, national Grand President of the International Footprint Association (pro public safety social organization) and I also am a past Nobel Arch of the Novato Druids, and I am on the Advisory Board of the Marin Salvation Army and Lead the Emergency Response feeding Canteen team.
Sergeant Sean Sinnott
Sean was raised in Marin County and attended Marin Catholic High School. He became a police explorer with Twin Cities Police as a teenager and was hired as a Reserve Police Officer by TCPD in 2011. He has worked for Novato PD for 12 years and is currently a Patrol Sergeant. Sean is a former K9 handler and worked with his German Shepherd partner, Koa, for five years before Koa’s retirement in 2019. Sean also has prior experience as a detective, a field training officer, and oversees the Novato Police Explorer Program.
Sean was an active member of the Novato Police Officers Association and served as their President for several years. He is now an executive board member for the Novato Police Managers Association. As a staunch supporter of the K9 program and an avid dog lover, Sean has served on the Novato Police K9 Foundation’s board since its inception.
Peter Pelavin
Peter was raised near Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco in the 60s. He received his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law where I was a Comments Editor on the Law Review.
After graduating law school, I worked in a general law firm in Milan, Italy where I gained valuable legal experience while improving my Italian. I established my own law practice in 1991. Samantha Tighe joined me in 1996 and we moved our practice from San Francisco to the North Bay in 2018.
My practice is focused on Trust, Wills, Trust Administration and Probate. I have also lectured on the topics of estate planning and estate administration. What I most enjoy about the law I practice is that I help people avoid problems rather than resolving existing disputes.
In addition to law, I have worked with a private foundation which helped children living in poverty in Manila. Another passion of mine is plants and I formerly served as a director and officer of the Strybing Arboretum Society, now the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society.
I moved from San Francisco to Novato in 2018 where I live with my two cats. My son is currently studying music at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.
Sergeant Sean Sinnott
Sean was raised in Marin County and attended Marin Catholic High School. He became a police explorer with Twin Cities Police as a teenager and was hired as a Reserve Police Officer by TCPD in 2011. He has worked for Novato PD for 12 years and is currently a Patrol Sergeant. Sean is a former K9 handler and worked with his German Shepherd partner, Koa, for five years before Koa’s retirement in 2019. Sean also has prior experience as a detective, a field training officer, and oversees the Novato Police Explorer Program.
Sean was an active member of the Novato Police Officers Association and served as their President for several years. He is now an executive board member for the Novato Police Managers Association. As a staunch supporter of the K9 program and an avid dog lover, Sean has served on the Novato Police K9 Foundation’s board since its inception.
Peter Pelavin
Peter was raised near Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco in the 60s. He received his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law where I was a Comments Editor on the Law Review.
After graduating law school, I worked in a general law firm in Milan, Italy where I gained valuable legal experience while improving my Italian. I established my own law practice in 1991. Samantha Tighe joined me in 1996 and we moved our practice from San Francisco to the North Bay in 2018.
My practice is focused on Trust, Wills, Trust Administration and Probate. I have also lectured on the topics of estate planning and estate administration. What I most enjoy about the law I practice is that I help people avoid problems rather than resolving existing disputes.
In addition to law, I have worked with a private foundation which helped children living in poverty in Manila. Another passion of mine is plants and I formerly served as a director and officer of the Strybing Arboretum Society, now the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society.
I moved from San Francisco to Novato in 2018 where I live with my two cats. My son is currently studying music at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.
Sergeant Sean Sinnott
Sean was raised in Marin County and attended Marin Catholic High School. He became a police explorer with Twin Cities Police as a teenager and was hired as a Reserve Police Officer by TCPD in 2011. He has worked for Novato PD for 12 years and is currently a Patrol Sergeant. Sean is a former K9 handler and worked with his German Shepherd partner, Koa, for five years before Koa’s retirement in 2019. Sean also has prior experience as a detective, a field training officer, and oversees the Novato Police Explorer Program.
Sean was an active member of the Novato Police Officers Association and served as their President for several years. He is now an executive board member for the Novato Police Managers Association. As a staunch supporter of the K9 program and an avid dog lover, Sean has served on the Novato Police K9 Foundation’s board since its inception.
Peter Pelavin
Peter was raised near Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco in the 60s. He received his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law where I was a Comments Editor on the Law Review.
After graduating law school, I worked in a general law firm in Milan, Italy where I gained valuable legal experience while improving my Italian. I established my own law practice in 1991. Samantha Tighe joined me in 1996 and we moved our practice from San Francisco to the North Bay in 2018.
My practice is focused on Trust, Wills, Trust Administration and Probate. I have also lectured on the topics of estate planning and estate administration. What I most enjoy about the law I practice is that I help people avoid problems rather than resolving existing disputes.
In addition to law, I have worked with a private foundation which helped children living in poverty in Manila. Another passion of mine is plants and I formerly served as a director and officer of the Strybing Arboretum Society, now the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society.
I moved from San Francisco to Novato in 2018 where I live with my two cats. My son is currently studying music at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.
Novato Police K9 Foundation History
May 2024
The Founding Vision
We have just established a 501c3 to fund acquisition and maintenance of Search & Rescue, Support and Patrol Dogs for our community.
Novato Police K9 Foundation History
May 2024
The Founding Vision
We have just established a 501c3 to fund acquisition and maintenance of Search & Rescue, Support and Patrol Dogs for our community.
The Foundation’s History
May 2024 – Founding Vision
We have just established a 501c3 to fund acquisition and maintenance of Search & Rescue, Support and Patrol Dogs for our community.
nov 2023
Novato Leadership
The initial idea began here…
nov 2023
Novato Leadership
The initial idea began here…
Nov 2023 – Novato Leadership
The initial idea began here…
