Maine’s nine newest police canine teams graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro on June 13, including two teams from Aroostook County agencies.
The officers and their dogs have spent the past 14 weeks at the State Police Canine School, training in a variety of conditions, weather and locations around the state. Three of the dog teams are from the Maine State Police and three others are from the Maine Department of Corrections, with three from police departments in South Portland, Lisbon and Presque Isle.
Local officers and their new partners include: Officer Kevin Reed and Koda, Presque Isle Police Department; and Trooper Jarod Sylvia and Merry, from Troop F in Houlton.
Reed’s K-9 will spend the summer training with Reed’s drug dog, Dozer. Dozer, who has been successful in assisting Reed on several drug cases, is scheduled to retire later this year.
