Detective Wells has been an employee of the La Verne Police Department since the year 2000 and in 2002 he became a full time sworn police officer.

In 2010, Det. Wells was assigned as a K-9 handler for LA IMPACT (Los Angeles Inter Agency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force). This was when Det. Wells was paired with his new partner, a certified narcotic detection dog named Maverick.

Det. Wells and Maverick were initially certified as a Narcotic detection K9 team through the California Narcotic Canine Association and are required to recertify on an annual basis. In between the annual recertifications, Det. Wells attends regular training with other local police agency K9 teams.

Maverick is a 4-year-old black Labrador retriever whose specialty is narcotics detection. He has been trained to detect the odor of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and opium. Maverick is known as a passive alert K9 which means he comes to a seated position when he detects a narcotic odor.

Maverick has been involved in numerous investigations with LA IMPACT, as well as local law enforcement agencies. Det. Wells and Maverick have been credited with the seizure of thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics, as well as millions of dollars. These seizures have also led to the recovery of numerous firearms and stolen vehicles.

Maverick is utilized by LA IMPACT, as well as local law enforcement agencies for narcotic investigations involving:

• Building searches
• Vehicle searches

Parcel / Freight Interdictions

Det. Wells and Maverick also take time out to attend career days and put on demonstrations at local La Verne and San Dimas schools.

Maverick is a welcome sight in our community!