More than a dozen new K-9 teams are set to join police departments across Connecticut and Massachusetts after graduating from the 2025 K-9 certification class in East Hartford, officials said.
On Monday, Dec. 8, 13 new K-9 teams from 10 agencies across Connecticut and Massachusetts will be fully certified and return to their communities after an intensive 12-week training program that began on Sept. 8, according to the East Hartford Police Department.
The ceremony will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, at 11 A.M. at Goodwin University in the auditorium.
The graduating teams represent the following departments:
- Hartford Police Department – 2 handlers
- New Haven Police Department – 2 handlers
- New Britain Police Department – 2 handlers
- Ansonia Police Department – 1 handler
- Putnam Police Department – 1 handler
- Suffield Police Department – 1 handler
- Groton City Police Department – 1 handler
- Vernon Police Department – 1 handler
- Wallingford Police Department – 1 handler
- Amherst, Mass. Police Department – 1 handler
Each K-9 is certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association in patrol work including tracking, handler protection, and building or area searches. The K-9s also focus on a specialty skill like narcotics, explosives, or gunshot residue, officials said.
“On behalf of the entire East Hartford Police Department, I want to thank all the participating agencies for entrusting us with the training of their K9 teams. This class is a perfect example of the regional cooperation that makes our communities safer,” said East Hartford Police Chief Mack Hawkins.
“I also want to extend my sincere thanks to East Hartford K-9 Sgt. Todd Mona and his team of instructors for their unwavering dedication to running this training session. Their expertise and countless hours behind the scenes are what makes East Hartford K9 certification programs one of the best in the region.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]