A year ago, he was a neglected puppy with an admittedly questionable understanding of the word “no.” Today, he has a badge, a police officer for a partner, and a new name that tells the story of just how far he has come.
Pensacola Police Department officially introduced K9 Redden in honor of National Dog Day, revealing that a Belgian Malinois puppy the department rescued last year has completed his training and is now serving the people of Pensacola, Florida. For anyone who followed his story from the beginning, the transformation is especially remarkable. Back then, he did not even have his permanent name yet. Police jokingly told followers that the rambunctious puppy was answering to “Pfui,” “No,” and “Leave It.”
Apparently, he has been studying since then. After a year of growing up and completing specialized police training, Redden has passed his certification and officially joined the department’s Patrol Division. He is now partnered with Officer Michael Potts and dual certified in detection and apprehension, turning a puppy rescued from neglect into Pensacola’s newest working K9.
A Neglected Litter Needed a Way Out
Redden’s journey to police work began in August 2025 when Emerald Shores Humane Society rescued a litter of Belgian Malinois puppies from an animal neglect situation. The Pensacola Police Department saw a post about the rescued puppies and recognized an unusual opportunity. Rather than purchasing its newest K9 through a more traditional route, the department decided one of these puppies might have what it took to eventually serve the community. Soon, one little Malinois was joining the Pensacola Police family.
At that point, however, he was still very much a puppy. His future might have involved detection work and police patrols, but his immediate résumé apparently consisted largely of doing things that inspired humans to repeatedly say “Pfui,” “No,” and “Leave It.”
Pensacola Police shared his arrival with the community and announced plans to work with Pensacola’s Finest Foundation to fund the puppy’s training and equipment. Emerald Shores Humane Society, meanwhile, had given him the opportunity to get there in the first place.
The organization provides sanctuary and care for animals affected by cruelty and neglect in Northwest Florida and works with law enforcement on animal cruelty investigations. For Redden, that rescue work became the first step toward an entirely different future.
From “Leave It” to K9 Redden
Becoming a police K9 does not happen simply because a dog happens to be a Belgian Malinois. Redden still had plenty of growing, learning, and training ahead before anyone could know whether the rescued puppy would ultimately be ready for police work.
Over the next year, he completed general puppy development along with specialized police training. By August 2026, the little dog, once introduced with a collection of temporary names, had accomplished exactly what everyone hoped he could.
Redden passed his certification. He is now dual-certified in detection and apprehension and is assigned to the Pensacola Police Department’s Patrol Division. Alongside his handler, Officer Michael Potts, Redden can put his powerful nose, intelligence, athleticism, and training to work during police operations. The puppy who once needed rescuing now has a job helping the people of the same community that gave him his second chance. And this time, he has a proper name.
His New Name Tells His Whole Story
“Redden” was not chosen simply because it sounded good for a police dog. The word is Dutch for “to rescue” or “to save,” giving the new K9 a name that connects where he came from with what everyone hopes he will accomplish in the years ahead.
“Just as we rescued him, we hope throughout his career he is utilized to save others,” Pensacola Police explained when officially introducing him.
Few names could fit his journey better. Redden began life in circumstances serious enough that he and his littermates needed help from a humane organization. Someone stepped in when those puppies needed protection, and one of them eventually landed in the hands of people who saw potential in the energetic young Malinois. Now the meaning of “rescue” follows him every time someone calls his name.
Why Belgian Malinois Often Become Working Dogs
Redden’s breed also helps explain why Pensacola Police saw potential in the young rescue. Belgian Malinois are intelligent, athletic, highly driven dogs with an extraordinary willingness to work, traits that have made them common partners in police, military, detection, and other demanding working roles.
Those same qualities can make them challenging pets for households that are not prepared for their need for physical activity, mental stimulation, training, and structure. A Malinois with the right temperament and appropriate professional training, however, can channel that remarkable energy into highly specialized work.
Redden’s story is particularly unusual because his path did not begin with a puppy specifically bred and purchased for the Pensacola Police Department. His opportunity grew from a rescue situation, followed by a year of training to determine whether that once-neglected puppy could successfully meet the demands of police work. He did.
The Rescued Puppy Is Ready to Serve
Pensacola Police thanked Pensacola’s Finest Foundation for its continued support of the department’s K9 Unit and recognized Emerald Shores Humane Society for its work in the rescue community. What began with several puppies needing help ultimately required rescue workers, law enforcement, supporters, trainers, and a handler willing to invest in what one young dog might become.
Redden now gets to take it from here. His days of being introduced as “Pfui, No, and Leave It” may be behind him, although anyone who has ever lived with a Belgian Malinois might reasonably suspect Officer Potts still needs at least one of those names occasionally.
What matters most is the name the once-neglected puppy carries today. Redden means “to rescue” or “to save.” A year ago, that described what other people did for him. From now on, Pensacola Police hopes it will describe what K9 Redden does for others.
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