The Bend Police Department changed the name of one of its K9s, “Lil ‘Kim”, after a controversy over the fact that he shares a name with Grammy-winning rapper Lil’ Kim, reports Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Riccardo Waites, the founder of the Central Oregon Assembly of Black Leaders, said in a video on Thursday that he met Bend’s police chief, Mike Krantz, to express concern about the dog’s name.
“It’s a tiny black puppy, K9 dog, which the police call ‘Lil’ Kim. ‘If you are a black person or a fan of Lil’ Kim, you know the meaning of it in Hip Hop. You also know that she’s a gangster rapper, “he said in the video.” Just to be honest, I don’t want to see Lil ‘Kim out there biting people of color. “
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Waites went on to say that Chief Krantz agreed to use only the dog’s real name, Kim, in the future.
The Bend Police Department’s K9, Kim, can be seen here through a night vision monocular working in a training setting in complete darkness.
(Bend Police Department)
Chief Krantz told Oregon Public Broadcasting that the dog, a Belgian Malinois shepherd, never received the rapper’s name, but would now be known as Kim.
“Although the dog does not have the name of a musician, it is important to recognize that some people may assume or believe that,” Krantz told OPB. “I think that in the eyes of some members of the community there is a historical connection with the use of dogs, specifically in protesters and members of the black community, and that, can bring fear of canines.”
Krantz also denied that the recent controversy was responsible for the name change.
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The Bend Police Department often refers to the K9 as Lil ‘Kim in press releases and statements on social media.
The Bend Police Department wished its K9, Kim, a happy 6th birthday in January.
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“Bend PD K9 Kim (also known as Lil ‘Kim for being small but powerful) is turning six,” wrote the department on Facebook to celebrate its birthday in January.
“K9 Kim is a Belgian Malinois who is a suspected rockstar apprehension dog,” wrote the department. “She is trained to locate a suspect who is fleeing or hiding. Her skills are not limited to just tracking suspects; she can also assist in the search for missing persons, such as a child or elderly person who has left home.”
Waites wrote on Facebook on Friday that he “appreciates the department for working hard and listening to the community”.