Police Agencies Statewide Add to Their Ranks

Some graduates from a New York State Police Academy training program yesterday were wearing collars and leashes while their partners were wearing uniforms and badges.

Twelve law enforcement partners, police officers and police Canines have completed a 20 week Basic Canine Handler School and move on to work in the Schenectady Police Department, Otsego County Sheriff's Office, Albany County Sheriff's Office and five New York State Police barracks. The State Police K-9s are named after troopers who died in the line of duty. Dogs in Albany and Otsego are also named after past law enforcement officers.

State Police Superintendent Josep D'Amico says the graduating officers and K-9s will be finding missing persons, detect bombs and locate drugs.