MEET ZEUS

MEET ZEUS

Zeus joined the Bell Police Department in January 2026 as their bloodhound K-9. He’s trained to follow human scent, works alongside his officer handler, and has a personality as big as the dog he’s growing into.

Zeus also serves as LAPFCU’s official mascot, representing the service, loyalty, and partnership of the law enforcement community we have proudly served since 1936.

Look for Zeus at LAPFCU events, in member communications, and around the community.

WHY A BLOODHOUND?

Bell PD handles critical missing-person cases, including searches for neurodivergent and special needs children and adults. Bloodhounds are perfect for this work because they follow human scents over long distances and through changing environments.

Zeus knows when it’s time to work. His collar comes off, his working harness goes on, and he focuses on the scent trail. While tracking, he keeps his head down. When his head comes up, his handler knows the scent trail may have ended. Zeus even has a signature move, the “Spiderman walk.” When entering an unfamiliar building, he crouches low to the ground and carefully works his way inside.

That powerful nose needs protection. Extreme heat can cause irreversible damage to the sensitive scent receptors in his nose. Those receptors are essential to his tracking work. When conditions become unsafe, Zeus does not deploy. Protecting his nose protects his ability to do his job.

PARTNERS ON AND OFF DUTY

Zeus lives full time with his handler. That means their partnership continues long after a shift ends. They train, work, travel, and live together as a team.

On duty, Zeus stays focused on the scent and the task ahead. Off duty, he loves fetch, his soccer ball, park and beach trips, car rides, naps, and keeping watch over neighborhood cats. He is highly food motivated, and his favorite treat is pretty much all of them.

Zeus’s handler loves dogs and always wanted to become a K-9 handler. He describes the job as a 24/7 responsibility, like having a child. No training manual covers all the playtime, supervision, care, and moments of chaos.