PORT ANGELES – The Police Department will have a new dog to replace Arco, the department’s first K-9 officer which died in November.

A grant from oil giant BP PLC provides $10,000 for the purchase and training of a new canine, which will be a full-fledged officer of the Port Angeles Police Department.

BP’s current subsidiary – Arco, the former Atlantic Richfield Co. – gave the money to buy Arco the dog, hence his name.

The German shepherd was purchased as a puppy in 1996 through funds that were part of an award to the city after Arco Pipe Line Co., an Atlantic Richfield subsidiary, spilled 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel in Port Angeles Harbor three years earlier.

BP merged with Atlantic Richfield in 2000.

The 12-year-old Arco was euthanized Nov. 9 after suffering a stroke in October.

“When we saw the article about what had happened to Arco [the dog], it was quickly clear what we should do,” said Bill Kidd, BP external relations manager.

K-9 dogs are considered police officers, and carry badges.