Officer Sullivan and K-9 Officer Gunny
A new K-9 officer has hit the streets with New Haven PD, CT in July 2017. Gunny, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, has become the NHPD’s sixth patrol K-9, and he plays a vital role in policing. He has been trained to track missing people and suspects, apprehend suspects, identify and recover evidence, search properties and vehicles, and detect drug evidence. His fellow K-9s at the NHPD are also essential to the department, and include two Labrador Retrievers, which are trained to detect explosives and hazardous devices and are assigned to Bomb Squad members. Just this year, two of the NHPD’s K-9s and their handlers were accorded the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association’s Wasson Memorial Award for exemplary performance.
Gunny has become the first K-9 assignment of Officer Sean Sullivan, who has worked in the department for nine years and is eager to work with his new K-9. They trained together for ten weeks and are continuing to build their bond.
“After a great deal of training, I’m confident in his abilities,” says Officer Sullivan. “After bonding for some time, it became clear to me, he’ll be an asset to the city and the Police Department. I’ve only had him for about two weeks, but he already found a knife from a triple stabbing, which was some great work.”
The acquisition of Gunny was made possible by a Justice Department Assistance Grant (JAG) and $2,500 provided by the National Police Dog Foundation. “It was greatly appreciated. The department can really use whatever help they can get,” says Officer Sullivan.
The NPDF is proud to have aided in Gunny’s arrival and wishes him a successful career with New Haven PD.
Written by Nicole Hymovitz
NPDF is proud to have assisted New Haven PD, CT in the purchasing of Gunny.