Crime & Safety

Royal Oak's K-9 Charlie Retires After 49 Years of Service (In Dog Years)

Charlie has been a police dog since 2005, responding to approximately 1350 calls for service.

The Royal Oak Police Department bid a fond farewell to one of its finest members today. K-9 Charlie is retiring after seven years of faithful service to the citizens of Royal Oak.

The Royal Oak Police Department issued this statement:

Charlie began serving this community in November 2005 with his handler, Officer Zachary Nottle. This K-9 team exemplified the police department’s core values of integrity, service, courage, compassion and loyalty and kept true to our Mission Statement of, “Keep Royal Oak Safe.”

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During Charlie’s seven years of service with this department, the team responded to approximately 1350 calls for service. Charlie is credited with over 460 narcotics finds, 44 apprehensions of fleeing criminals and contributing to the seizure of approximately half a million dollars in seized drug forfeitures. 

Charlie has been an asset to the citizens of Royal Oak. During his career, Charlie assisted several other agencies approximately 300 times and has helped to maintain good partnerships between the Royal Oak Police Department and those agencies in need of our assistance. 

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“What I enjoyed most about being a member of this K-9 team was the coordination and cooperation between Charlie and me and the other officers and agencies,” said Nottle. 

Charlie participated in many community policing activities during the past seven years.  School children and community groups may recall even meeting Charlie at an event or block party over the years. 

Charlie will enjoy his retirement with the Nottle family. Officer Nottle will return to regular patrol as he learns to adjust to working without his long time partner. 

Lt. Tom Goad, of the Criminal Investigations Division reports the Royal Oak Police Department is in the early stages of obtaining another K-9.


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