CANINE
HOMELAND DEFENDERS / CRIME FIGHTERS GRADUATE STATE POLICE
DETECTOR "SCENT" & "PATROL" SCHOOLS
Trenton - Joseph R.
Fuentes, Acting 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/Patrol Class #3.
Acting Superintendent Fuentes
lauded the State Police canine patrol and scent detection
"team training" as the most comprehensive police dog training
program available in New Jersey. The specialized training
produces highly proficient canine teams ready for patrol responsibilities
and a variety of specialized scent duties.
"I'd like to congratulate the
law enforcement officers who have completed the 3rd New Jersey
State Police Scent/Patrol Training Program," Fuentes said.
"Technology is advancing in so many areas of law enforcement,
but when it comes to detecting life-threatening explosives,
uncovering hidden narcotics or tracking missing persons, police
detection dogs are the most reliable and effective tools available
to law enforcement."
Joining the Acting Superintendent
at the K-9 graduation ceremonies were Markus Green, Attorney
General's Deputy Chief of Staff, Lt. Colonel Albert J. Kernagis,
Commanding Officer of the New Jersey State Police Field Operations
Section and representatives from the participating law enforcement
agencies: Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, Howell Township
Police Department, Independence Township Police Department,
Lower Alloways Creek Township Police Department and the New
Jersey State Police.
The 20-week patrol training
class focuses on teaching the dogs to assist their handlers
in apprehending criminal suspects, explosives 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, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana
and hashish.
According to SFC Jeffrey W.
McCarthey, State Police Canine Unit Supervisor, 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 explosives. The training
is repeated until the dogs are able to detect all substances
used in the training. As the training progresses, the hiding
locations are made more difficult, with contraband 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
with over 550 criminal investigations, successfully 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 $1.5 million and currency seizures
of more than $2.1 million. The State Police explosive detector
dogs conducted over 1500 searches for hidden explosives and
assisted State Police Arson and Bomb Squad detectives at suspected
arson scenes.
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NEW
JERSEY STATE POLICE CANINE TRAINING ACADEMY
SCENT / PATROL CLASS #3
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
TPR. I MICHAEL DANIELE & K-9 BUDDY (PATROL / EXPLOSIVES)
TPR. II LOUIS BUCCHERE & K-9 CHASE (PATROL / EXPLOSIVES)
TPR. II ARCHER JONES & K-9 NERO (PATROL / NARCOTICS)
TPR. SCOTT POULTON & K-9 RAIDER (PATROL / NARCOTICS)
TPR. PAUL WHITTAKER & K-9 IKE (PATROL / EXPLOSIVES)
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
OFF. WILLIAM REHMANN & K-9 NIKO (PATROL / EXPLOSIVES)
HOWELL TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
PTL. MICHAEL PAVLICK & K-9 NERO (PATROL / NARCOTICS)
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
SGT. DENNIS RILEY & K-9 REX (PATROL / NARCOTICS)
LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
PTL. DONALD RAMBO & K-9 ALDO (PATROL / EXPLOSIVES) |