DULUTH - The newest four-legged member of the Duluth Police Department is about to head into training. FOX 21 tracked down officer Rebekah Kopp to meet her new partner, Malikai.

You might recall that two Duluth police K–9s retired last year. Malikai replaces one of them, if he can make it through training.

"Everything I see I really like," Kopp said as she rubbed her hands through Malakai's fur. She calls him Malik for short.

Kopp is still getting to know the 14–month–old German Shepherd that came from the Czech Republic.  She gave him his name. 

"Malikai means 'my messenger' or 'angel from God,' and it's also the Book of Judgment in the Bible," she explained.

Kopp has been having fun with him at home, which is vital in getting him ready for 12 weeks of vigorous police training in St. Paul.

"We spend a great amount of time in the beginning just playing and bonding and doing grooming and playing with a toy, just so that he knows all the good stuff comes from me," Kopp said. 

Malik follows some big paws, replacing Kopp's former partner, Niko. 

"He's got a spinal injury in his back," Kopp said of Niko. "He got hurt at work, and he can't jump anymore, so he can't do his job." 

Niko was injured in training, so last June, Niko and another K–9, Nero, retired. 

Duluthians immediately started raising money for new dogs. Brothers River, Tannor and Colton Emison manned a lemonade stand for hours over the summer to raise $218. Then AMSOIL donated $7,500 for Malik.

Kopp said Malik already is demonstrating what police look for in a K–9: a strong drive to play, search, and find.

"He loves chasing his toy and playing," she said. "That's like his favorite thing to do."

Malik will start training March 8 and will graduate in May, if all goes as planned.  And he'll be ready to be the kind of partner to Kopp that only a K–9 can be. 

"They're totally devoted to you and would give their life for you in a heartbeat," she said. "They would jump in front of any kind of danger for you. That kind of devotion from an animal is pretty amazing."

Kopp's former partner Niko now lives with her as a pet.  And donations for another police K–9 are pouring into the department by the thousands of dollars.

They plan to purchase another dog next year.