K-9 Unit
The Hamden Police Department K-9 Unit currently consists of 2 police dog/handler teams, all of which are certified as basic patrol dogs. These teams are also each certified in a specialty function. Each K-9 team is assigned to one of three shifts to give 24-hour coverage to the town. The teams respond to a variety of calls including, but not limited to, lost and missing persons, fleeing criminals, burglaries, crowd control situations, suspicious packages, and narcotics calls. The teams have proven to be an invaluable asset not only in their deterrence of crime and ability to find and locate individuals that would normally escape, but also as a public relations tool. K-9 teams also perform demonstrations throughout the year for local schools, camps, and civic organizations. Lieutenant Frank McDermott is the supervisor in charge of the K-9 Unit.
To contact the Hamden Police Department K-9 Unit call Lt. Jason Venditto at 203-230-4073
Active K-9 Teams
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 Lt. Jason Venditto
K-9 Knight
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Officer Kevin Cugini
K9 Jet
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Honorary K-9
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K9 Arlo
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Retired K-9 Teams
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Sergeant Franklin Riehl
K-9 Jake retired in June 2004, after 7 years of dedicated service to the Department. K9 Jake specialized in narcotics detection. K-9 Jake passed away on June 9, 2009. |
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Lieutenant Francis McDermott
K-9 Hero retired in May 2006, after 9 dedicated and very successful years of service to the Department. |
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Lieutenant Timothy Wydra
K-9 Justice retired in 2003, after 4 years of dedicated service to the Department. K-9 Justice specialized in narcotics detection. K-9 Justice passed away on October 17, 2008. |
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Officer Bryan Kelly
K-9 Brix retired in 2007 after 2 years of dedicated service to the department. K-9 Brix specialized in narcotics detection. |
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Officer John Battick.
K-9 Cesar graduated from the Basic K-9 Handler Course given by the North American Police Work Dog Association in 2004. K-9 Cesar specializes in narcotics detection. Now retired along with his handler John.
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 K-9 Titan graduated from the Basic K-9 Handler Course given by the North American Police Work Dog Association 2004. K-9 Titan specialized in explosives. He worked until 2013. Titan is now retired. His handler J. Venditto has another K-9 partner. See above.
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Officer Michael Nawrocki
K-9 Hank graduated from the Basic K-9 Handler Course given by the North American Police Work Dog Association in December 2009. K-9 Hank specializes in narcotics detection. |
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Sgt. William May
K9 Blaze
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Officer Kelley Cushman
K9 Sar
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 Officer Peter Conti
K9 Maverick
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Lt. Jason Venditto
K-9 Viking graduated from the Basic K-9 Handler Course given by the North American Police Work Dog Association. K-9 Viking specializes in patrol work.
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