![Koda meets the community](/gvmagazine/files/img/article/C6337302-9B97-CBE1-41B8C7471B117409/9FD88C19-A1CA-5390-0FB31889F24FD27E/500[44510291].jpg)
Grand Valley Police Department’s newest employee arrived in West Michigan in June after six weeks of training in Alabama.
Koda, a K-9 explosives dog, is a 2-year-old Black Lab who lives with Kelsey Sietsema, a GVPD canine and community police officer.
Koda’s main responsibilities are to attend gatherings like football games and large-scale events, and connect and engage with the campus community. Vests for on-duty and off-duty let members of the community know when they are free to approach and interact with her.
Private funding helped GVPD open up a spot for Koda.
![Kelsey walks down the stadium seats with Koda](/gvmagazine/files/img/article/C6337302-9B97-CBE1-41B8C7471B117409/9FD88C76-C990-779A-99EB95819289A6D9/500[44510291].jpg)
![Kelsey kisses Koda on the nose](/gvmagazine/files/img/article/C6337302-9B97-CBE1-41B8C7471B117409/9FD88CD1-A456-A3DF-846DB3E9A70DE4E0/500[44510291].jpg)
![Koda has his paws on a table](/gvmagazine/files/img/article/C6337302-9B97-CBE1-41B8C7471B117409/9FD88D27-D5E3-2D3A-F3FB087CCECD422F/500[44510291].jpg)