By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor
adematteo@newhavenregister.com

HAMDEN — Police officers and police dogs from Connecticut and New York converged here for a two-day training session that certified the dogs and their handlers with the National Police Canine Association.

Mark Tobin of Newark, Del., the association’s Northeast director, observed the dogs and handlers when they went through a series of exercises and tests according to its national standards Tuesday and Wednesday at the former High Meadows on Hartford Turnpike.



The Hamden Department of Police Services sponsored the training and received permission from the state to hold the event at High Meadows. Lt. Frank McDermott, Hamden’s canine unit supervisor and trainer, said the training provided a national certification to those who are already trained through other agencies, such as the state police.

“The whole purpose is to bring the association to them and give them certification in all exercises by national standards,” said Tobin, the canine coordinator for Newcastle County police in Delaware. “I am extremely pleased with the dog teams. They are great handlers and great dogs.”

About 40 police dogs, trainers and handlers from Hamden, New Haven, Ansonia, Stamford, Norwalk, Southington, Westport, Manchester, Waterford, the Connecticut Army Reserves based in Danbury and the Metropolitan Transit Authority attended the sessions.

The seminar covered patrol, scent for explosives or narcotics and tracking.

Among exercises was an apprehension drill, during which dogs performed an “engage and bite” technique on the arm of the supposed criminal who is attacking the dog handler. Wearing the “bite suit” on Wednesday were Hamden Officers Tim McKeon and Eric Goclowski.

“If the bad guy gives up, we stop the dog in the middle of the run,” said Hamden Officer Jason Venditto, who went through the paces with his 8½-year-old German shepherd, Titan.

New Haven Officers Renee Forte, Steve Silk and Lars Vallin were there with their canine partners, Bitang, Boris and Xander, respectively, as was New Haven Officer Sam Reed, the department’s dog trainer. Continued...

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“It’s always a learning process,” said Forte.

Call Ann DeMatteo at 203-789-5716.

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