The New York State Police held a graduation ceremony June 20, 2019, for the 2019 Canine Handler Basic School. The ceremony was held at the New York State Police Academy in Albany.
A total of 11 canine teams graduated, including police officer Nicole M. Wright, Canine Bruin, SUNY Morrisville.
The canines and their handlers underwent 20 weeks of training at the New York State Police Canine Training Facility located in Cooperstown. During the training, students and their partners received instruction in basic obedience, agility, handler protection, building searches, explosive or narcotic detection, tracking for fugitives and lost or missing persons, basic veterinary care and land navigation and grid searches.
The current strength of the State Police Canine Unit is 107 teams, including those who graduated today. During the first five months of 2019, the members of the Division Canine Unit responded to more than 4,100 calls for service.
Canines that are part of the Division Canine Unit are donated through the generosity of breeders, private individuals and humane societies. All canines are put through extensive testing and evaluation prior to assignment in the Canine Basic Handler’s School. State police canines are named after members who have died in the line of duty.