Chambersburg
Police Dept.
116 South 2nd Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201 |
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K- 9 UNIT
(Photo: Cpl Richard Morrissette training K-9 Cuba)
The Chambersburg Police Department currently has three active duty K9 teams. Each team consists of the K9 and a handler. The current active duty teams are CPL Richard Morrissette & K9 Jiggs, Ptlm. Robert Kirk Jr & K9 Gunner, and Ptlm. Dana Kauffman & K9 Rocky.
History
Beginning in 1994, Ptlm. Dana Kauffman began to research the benefits to the Chambersburg Police Department and the community of having a trained police service dog. In 1995, Chief Michael DeFrank and Chambersburg Borough officials approved the concept and services that a trained police K9 team could provide the department. In that same year, the Chambersburg Police Department purchased its first German Shepard Police Dog with a generous donation from the Chambersburg Exchange Club. Ptlm. Kauffman and K9 Allen immediately proved to be a valuable asset to our community and the safety of our officers.
Since then, the K9 unit has grown and by 1998 the police department fielded three K9 teams with additional generous donations from the Chambersburg VFW and the Franklin County District Attorney's office. As the K9's aged and retired, they were replaced with additional donations from the Green Township Lions Club and the Chambersburg Masonic Lodge. The K9 unit also owes a thank-you to the Chambersburg Animal Hospital, The Pet Store, and Goldenwood Kennels. They have all provided free care, food and boarding to our K9's.
Duties
Police K9 teams are trained to perform a variety of duties. All Chambersburg Police Service Dogs have been trained to locate the presence of illegal drugs using their superior sense of smell. They have all been cross-trained to perform patrol duties as well. They include building searches, area searches, tracking, article searches and protection.
Training
All our K9 teams were trained by A.W. "Bill" Castle III and his staff at Castle K-9, Inc., Mechanicsburg, PA. Castle is a Master Trainer with the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Pennsylvania Police Work Dog Association. All teams certify annually through both mentioned associations in the category Police Utility and Narcotic Detection Team. The unit maintains training on a monthly basis at Castle K-9, Inc. and at varioius locations here in Chambersburg.
Other
The Chambersburg K9 Unit has also been called to assist neighboring police departments, the Franklin County Prison, the Pennsylvania State Police and other state and federal agencies. Since it's inception in 1995 Chambersburg Police K9 teams have been instrumental in many investigations, drug seizures and arrests in our community. Additionally, the K9 teams have conducted numerous speeches and demonstrations for area schools, businesses and organizations.
The K9 Unit is currently under the supervision of CPL Richard Morrissette. Any inquiries into speeches or K9 demonstrations should be directed to him.
PAST K9 TEAMS
- K9 Cuba & Handler Cpl. Richard Morrissette
- K9 Kaos & Handler Cpl. Michael Rosenberry (2001-2005)
- K9 Valco & Handler Ptlm. Dana Kauffman
- K9 Allen & Handler Ptlm. Dana Kauffman
- K9 Donar & Handler Cpl. Michael Rosenberry
- K9 Charlie & Handler Ptlm. Todd Baker
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