Police canine school scheduled in Watertown

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a canine training course beginning April 2 for its new dog, and possibly for a second dog with the Watertown Police Department.

Sheriff John P. Burns and his newest K-9 handler, Deputy Jeffrey M. Froelich, on Friday introduced Lobo, a 14-month-old Norwegian-born German shepherd, who became the department’s third dog. Lobo will be trained in narcotics detection and should be ready for active duty at the end of September.

The dog was purchased Feb. 1 at Shallow Creek Kennels, Sharpsville, Pa., for $6,700, which was provided in a grant from the state Department of Criminal Justice Services, the sheriff said.

Meanwhile, Joseph J. Goss, city police chief, wants to restore a K-9 unit to his department, and he has the backing of City Manager Mary M. Corriveau. He hopes to have a dog in time for the sheriff’s training sessions.

Mrs. Corriveau, in a memorandum to City Council, has recommended authorization for the acquisition of a dog for training for the Police Department. She noted the city has $1,935.87 remaining from a Sam’s Club Foundation donation made in November 2005 for the purposes of a K-9 unit. She added that Chief Goss informed her that some local businesses are willing to donate to the cause.

The department, which traces its history in K-9 service to 1977, has been without a dog since Officer Mark W. Sutton’s dog, Ema, died June 10.

Chief Goss reported to Mrs. Corriveau that he is exploring the purchase of a dog for about $7,000 from Shallow Creek Kennels. The department has a K-9 patrol vehicle with about 60,000 miles on it that has not been used since Ema’s death. The vehicle likely will need upgrading in about two years, he said.

Although the dog is housed in its handler’s home, the city will be responsible for food, a kennel and veterinary costs, as well as the handler’s salary. The Police Department already has a budget line for those expenses, the chief said.

Several officers have expressed interest in being the handler, he said.

Officer Sutton is expected to join Deputy Paul W. Trudeau, a former handler and certified trainer, in conducting the course.

“I need to act now to get a dog into that course,” Chief Goss said. “If the council says no Tuesday night, then Officer Sutton’s role in the course will have to be reduced. He will still assist when needed, but we have to look at our staffing.”

Deputy Froelich has had Lobo riding with him on patrol since the acquisition, simply to get the dog acquainted with motion, sounds and the officer’s routine.

The deputy, father of a 6-year-old boy, retired from a 20-year Army career in 2008, and became a deputy in July that year. A Baltimore native, he was an infantryman and paratrooper in the Army.