| STATE
POLICE "LET THE DOGS OUT" CANINE HOMELAND DEFENDERS / CRIME
FIGHTERS GRADUATE STATE POLICE DETECTOR "SCENT" SCHOOL
Trenton - Joseph R. Fuentes, Superintendent of
the New Jersey State Police, announced that nine of New Jersey's
newest law enforcement specialists today graduated with honors
from the New Jersey State Police Canine Training Academy Scent
Class #19.
In recognizing the law enforcement officer handlers - and
their K-9 partners - Superintendent Fuentes lauded the State
Police canine scent detection "team" training as the most
comprehensive police dog training program available in New
Jersey. The specialized training is designed to produce a
highly proficient canine team capable of assisting law enforcement
officers in locating explosives, illegal narcotics, drug tainted
currency, and other types of contraband materials.
"I'd like to congratulate the law enforcement officers who
have completed the 19TH New Jersey State Police Scent Training
Program," Fuentes said. "While technology is replacing people
power in many areas of law enforcement investigation, when
it comes to fighting terrorism and detecting life-threatening
explosives or uncovering hidden narcotics, police detection
dogs are still one of the most reliable and effective tools
available to law enforcement."
Joining the Superintendent at the K-9 graduation ceremonies
were representatives from the participating law enforcement
agencies: Washington Township Police Department, New Jersey
Transit Police, Burlington County Sheriff's Department, West
Windsor Township Police Department, Medford Township Police
Department, Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, Hammonton Police
Department, CSX RR Police, Essex County Sheriff's Office.
The 11-week training class focuses on teaching the dogs to
assist their handlers in apprehending criminal suspects, interdicting
terrorists, explosive detection, scent tracking, article and
suspect searches and search/rescue operations. During the
scent training course, the dogs are taught to detect various
types of explosive components as well as narcotics, including
cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana
and hashish.
According to SFC David Kenna, Supervisor of the State Police
Canine Unit, the extensive training program focuses on establishing
a strong bond between the handler and the dog. Dogs selected
for the program must be willing workers with a great play
drive and a good temperament. Patience and understanding are
prime requisites for the handler, as dog performance depends
on such traits.
During the first week of training, the handlers receive an
overview of the course and details of their responsibilities
as dog owners. Meanwhile, each canine is evaluated on their
search and retrieval abilities and the level of bonding with
the handler.
Throughout the following weeks, various training exercises
are undertaken such as search and rescue tactics and the introduction
of controlled substances, illegal drugs and various types
of explosive. The training is repeated until the dogs are
able to detect all substances used in the training. As the
training progresses, the hide locations are made increasingly
more difficult, with contraband substances being hidden in
motor vehicles, planes, boats and buildings.
The New Jersey State Police canine training program dates
to 1987 when it was created as part of the Statewide Narcotics
Task Force. During the past year, the New Jersey State Police
K-9 teams assisted locating and apprehending fleeing suspects,
recovering evidence and providing security in crowd control
situations. State Police narcotic detector dogs assisted in
the seizure of illegal drugs valued at more than $20 million
and currency seizures of illegal drugs valued at more than
$3 million. The State Police explosive detector dogs conducted
over 2000 searches for hidden explosives and assisted State
Police Arson and Bomb Squad detectives at suspected arson
scenes.
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE CANINE TRAINING
ACADEMY
SCENT CLASS #19
Washington Township Police Department
Patrolman Eric Bakay & K9 Valko
New Jersey Transit Police
Officer Christopher G. Knoll & K9 JJ
Burlington County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Officer Christopher Reinhart & K9 Grena
West Windsor Township Police Department
Patrolman Thomas P. Moody & K9 Edy
Medford Township Police Department
Patrolman Joseph M. Canuso & K9 Nomos
Mercer County Prosecutor's Office
Detective Joseph Angarone & K9 Rome
Hammonton Police Department
Patrolman Jared Baglivo & K9 Nero
CSX RR Police
Special Agent Michael O'Keefe & K9 Jerry
Essex County Sheriff's Office
Detective Dolores Paladino & K9 Nero
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