NEW CASTLE, Del. – After proudly serving the citizens of Delaware and New Jersey for eight years with the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department, K9 Bini will begin her retirement next week. Flanked by K9 Units and other available sworn officers, K9 Bini will be walked out of the Vincent A. Julia Building at 12 Noon tomorrow, January 27, 2026, by her handler and partner, Sergeant Daniel Gavlick. The building is adjacent to the Delaware Memorial Bridge Toll Plaza.

Born in 2016, K9 Bini is a pure-bred German Shepherd who joined the DRBA Police in 2018 in partnership with TSA's National Explosives Detection Canine Program. Bini and Sgt. Gavlick graduated from the Atlantic County K9 Academy in January 2021 with their scent, tracking, and article certifications.  Bini served at 3 of the 4 troop locations, completing over 1700 deployments including numerous bomb threats.
 
Of particular significance, K9 Bini received certification in the ATF-sponsored National Odor Recognition Test (NORT). Each year, this 3-day annual test brings police and military canine teams together to train on various tactical activities and showcase their odor detection and teamwork skills while actively searching out and identifying a variety of explosive compounds, ignitable liquids and gun powder-related residue. 

Supervisor Sergeant Jonathan Costa commented, “We humbly thank K9 Bini for keeping us safe over the course of her career. She will be missed, but I know she will enjoy her much-needed rest at home with Sgt. Gavlick.”

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority 
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages two airports in New Jersey (Millville Executive Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.