K-9 Unit

In April of 1992 a crate shipped from Neuberg Germany arrived at New York Citys JFK airport.   Contained within was a 13 month old jet black german shepard that was soon to be one of the most competent and highly trained police canines in New York State.

Although his given and proper name was Benhardt, Deputy Brad Turck, chosen as the Sheriff’s Offices first ever canine handler, promptly began bonding with his new partner “Ben”.  From that date forward the two have been virtually inseparable.

Since his arrival, essentially all associated items, care, and training, have been paid for with forfeited funds obtained under the state and local law enforcement equitable sharing program.

Subsequent to basic patrol dog school, Brad and Ben have since attended a myriad of training courses.  Initially of particular desire and concern was the units attendance and successful completion as a narcotics interdiction team.  Achieving that distinction, the team is currently certified by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Bureau for Municipal Police as a narcotics detection team certified in the detection of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, hashish, and methamphetamines.  In addition to the narcotics expertise, the team is also DCJS BMP certified in patrol techniques consisting of perpetrator apprehension, building searches, field tracking, article scent detection searches and handler protection.

Additionally Brad and Ben hold United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) certifications as Police Dog I, which deals with patrol work, and Police dog II which deals with the tracking persons.

They are also certified accomplished members of the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) and the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association Inc. (NNDDA) as a narcotics detector team.

To remain reputable and proficient, Brad and Ben train regularly in an in-service training program with the Capital Region Police K9 Training Group.  Three times a month K9 teams from throughout the area get together and perform maintenance training ensuring each canine remains in top form.

Although patrol work, narcotics detection and maintenance training consumes a major portion of the units time, Brad and Ben frequently perform many other assignments  which include demonstrations for, childrens groups, school events and community organizations.

Highly respected by area local police and the New York State Police, Brad and Ben are frequently called upon to “do what they do” when those other agencies either do not have a K9 unit or their teams are unavailable.

One very notable instance in the units history was when Brad and Ben were called upon by a local police force in an attempt to locate a 84 year old alzheimers patient who had walked away from his home one very cold December day.  Thankfully it did not take Ben very long to locate the disoriented and hypothermic individual who would certainly not have lasted much longer in the 10 degree weather.  As a result the man fully recovered and Brad and Ben received the 1996 Ulster County Police Chiefs Association Award for K9 Excellent Service.