[VIDEO] White Plains K-9 Officers Make History

White Plains made history Friday by inducting the first-ever four-legged members into the White Plains Police Department. German Shepherds Storm and Justice graduated from the K-9 police academy, as the newest members of the ’s Special Operations Division.

“Now that they’ve graduated they’re immediately implemented into the system,” said White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong, at Fridays K-9 Unit graduation ceremony held at the city’s public safety headquarters. “They’re available for back-up, for helping officers out here on patrol. I couldn’t be more pleased. It's a historical day for the department of public safety.”

The dogs as well as their handlers—Police Officer Brian Johnson and Det. Matthew Kittelstad—underwent extensive training, lead by Yonkers Police Officer and K-9 trainer Chris Barca, to create the newly formed K-9 unit, lead by Sgt. Todd Moskalik. Justice is trained to detect narcotics, while Storm is trained to detect explosives and weapons.

Chong’s 7-year-old daughter Katie and her first grade girlfriends named both dogs. 

“The ability to have the dogs available to us when we need them is very valuable,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, at the commencement ceremony.

Roach thanked the Yonkers Police Department and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police for their help with putting together the City’s first-ever K-9 police unit.

“It’s a great indication of in this region how our public safety departments work together to produce the best results for our citizens,” said Roach.

Chong said the K-9 unit would not have been possible without the kindness of local benefactors—as cost of the dogs, equipment, bulletproof vests and retrofitting of police cars were solely paid for by private donations from who purchased the dogs; ;; ; FNM Appraisal Group and the .

Dr. Maria Lagana was named as an honorary member of the White Plains Police Department, as she and her co-worker Dr. Sandy Taraolff of the Ahave pledged their time and expertise to making sure the dogs are kept in the best of health. 

Check out our video and pictures from the K-9 unit graduation ceremony.

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