Canine Teams From Area Police Departments Perform During Recent Statewide Trials

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Dogs and their handlers from area police departments were spotlighted during recent trials held by the United State Police Canine Association.

The association's Region 6, which covers Pennsylvania, recently held its Police Dog 1 Field Trials in Montgomery Township, an event co-hosted by the Montgomery Township and Horsham Police Departments.

Participating K9 unit teams were judged in several areas, including agility, obedience, evidence search, suspect search and criminal apprehension, according to the Cheltenham Township Police Department, which had three of its K9 teams earning USPCA PD-1 certification, according to a social media post.

Cheltenham Police posted to Facebook that its three teams had distinguished themselves during the recent field trials and ended up being recognized for their performances.

Officer Ed Farrell and K9 Dylan, Officer Chad Smith and K9 Tychus, and Officer Nick O'Connor and K9 Dausen were all awarded third place overall team, according to Cheltenham.

Farrell and Dylan also took second place in the criminal apprehension novice portion and second place overall category at the field trials, while Smith and Tychus placed third in the open agility portion, Cheltenham police posted.

"Our K-9 Officers are dedicated to their assignment, complete extensive training and are constantly striving to bring out the best in their K-9 partners," the department posted.

The Montgomery Township Police Department also took to Facebook to announce that its K9 unit placed second overall in the field trials.

"Great job to everyone who participated!" the department posted.

The United States Police Canine Association is the country's largest and oldest such organization of its kind, according to its website.

The organization says that it has been training and certifying police dogs in general patrol use, tracking, protection, narcotics and explosives detection, arson, fish and game, and search and rescue since 1971.

The association says that its regional and national certifications have been upheld by more than 78 U.S. Supreme Court and federal district Court rulings as a 'bona-fide' test for police use throughout the years.

Dogs and their handlers who receive top scores in the regional field trials, such as the one that took place recently in Montgomery County, are invited to attend the annual National Police Dog Field Trials, where a national champion is selected, according to the organization.