Police Canine Units Train in Putnam County

Putnam’s newest canine “Cezar” checks on a report of illegal drugs by sniffing a vehicle with his partner Brewster Village PD Officer Pat Frezza. Training conducted in Putnam County will assist police officers and their specially trained canines to track down criminals across the United States.

Thirty-seven canine teams converged on the Home Depot Shopping Plaza last week, and for seven hours went through a series of tracking exercises inside a vast box store that formerly housed Linens ‘n’ Things.

Lt. John Kerwick of the MTA Police, who serves as President of the U.S. Police Canine Association, coordinated the session.

Kerwick explained that his association not only trains dogs with their handlers but certifies them as well.

The police K-9s and their partners were led into rooms where quantities of narcotics had been hidden. The dogs led their handlers to the illegal contraband, followed by a critique of the team by three certifying officials.

Carmel Police Officer Thomas Rafaelle tracks an SUV for drugs with his partner “Cache.” Following the indoor activity, teams were led outside, where vehicles awaited. Kerwick said “some of the vehicles contained illegal contraband while others did not.”

The teams were not only graded on whether or not the illegal drugs were found, but also on the handler and canine’s methodology that led to the discovery.

Some of the dogs indicated a “hit” by scratching and barking, while others, predominantly from the NYPD, sat when they found the contraband. Kerwick explained the difference: “Dogs assigned to the New York City Police Department are trained to search people and if a person is being searched officers don’t want suspect’s ankles scratched.”

Deputy Vincent Dalo commends “Dunkin” the instant he locates the illegal drugs. Photos by ERIC GROSS Three canine teams from Putnam participated: Deputy Sheriff Vincent Dalo and his partner “Dunkin,” Carmel Police Officer Thomas Rafaelle and his partner “Cache,” and Brewster Village Police Department canine Officer Pat Frezza and his partner “Cezar” took part in the day long activity

The trio was joined by canine teams from the Big Apple, Poughkeepsie, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Newburgh Police, Yonkers, Mt. Vernon, and New Rochelle Police Departments, as well as officers from as far away as upstate Endicott, and even a team from New Hampshire.

Kerwick told the COURIeR that “training is essential from a legal standpoint because nine times out of ten when a dog detects drugs, defense counsels almost always challenge the finding in court.”

Kerwick said training the dogs every six months and certifying them “ensures that drug charges filed after a dog locates the illegal contraband will hold up in a court of law.”

The next training and certification session will occur next week when teams of dogs and their handlers track explosives.