Sea Girt, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police Canine Academy announced the graduation of a patrol class and scent class at the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, N.J. A total of 20 teams walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Additionally, three new certified trainers were recognized during the graduation as well. After the ceremony, the audience was treated to a demonstration of the new K-9 teams' abilities. This demonstration included obedience exercises, narcotic and explosive detection, and the ability of the K-9 to apprehend fleeing criminals.

Patrol class #12 began on October 10, 2011 and completed the rigorous 18-week training course on February 10, 2012. The class consisted of 12 students from across the state. Each of these teams received training in obedience, agility, tracking and criminal apprehension. Eight of the handlers attended the NJSP scent training course prior to attending the patrol class and three of them trained their second K-9 partners.

"These highly specialized certifications represent months of hard work by these handlers and their K-9 partners," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. The Colonel added, "The job of a K-9 handler is a 24-hour a day obligation and requires a long term commitment from both the handler and their family. Our communities are safer with the addition of these canine teams."

Scent class #27 began on March 26, 2012 and completed training on June 29, 2012. The 14-week course trained seven explosive detection and four narcotic detection K-9 teams. The narcotic detection teams are trained in the detection of six types of narcotics while the explosive detection teams are trained in 14 explosive odors. Of the seven explosive detection teams, six will become members of the New Jersey Detect and Render Safe Task Force. The task force is comprised of state, county and municipal explosive detection K-9 teams that assist statewide in events. The task force was the first of its kind in the nation and is looked at across the country as a template for other states. The Office of Homeland Security and Prepardness provided the funding for the task force teams.

The New Jersey State Police canine training program dates to 1987 when it was created as part of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force. So far this year, the New Jersey State Police K-9 teams assisted with over 1,067 criminal investigations, successfully locating and apprehending fleeing suspects, recovering evidence, and providing security in crowd control situations. State Police narcotic detector K-9's assisted in the seizure of illegal drugs valued at more than $1.1 million and currency seizures of more than $1.3 million. The State Police explosive detector K-9's conducted over 618 searches for hidden explosives and assisted State Police Arson and Bomb Squad detectives at suspected arson scenes. Members of the NJSP Canine Unit also conduct over 100 lectures and demonstrations each year to police organizations, civic groups, schools, and children.

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