17-03-2025
Erie police announce return of K-9 unit
After more than a decade, the Erie Police Department is bringing back their K-9 officer unit.
Three officers and their canine partners are currently training with Tri-State Canine in Warren, Ohio and will be done in mid-April.
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All three Belgian malinois, which are each about a year old, are dual-purpose. Their primary use will be as patrol tactics dogs, where they'll be able to track and conduct article searches.
Additionally, two of the dogs will be trained in narcotics detection while another will be able to detect explosives.
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'That will greatly enhance assisting officers on several calls regarding anything to do with narcotics, article searches, helping out in the schools, we're on several task forces, and being called out not only by our officers here in the City of Erie but by other agencies and assisting them,' said William Marucci, deputy chief of the Erie Police Department.
'They started today, go to April 18th for five weeks of training,' said Curtis Waite, sergeant of the K-9 unit. 'That week of April 21st is officially when they're certified and able to go out on the street.'
Funding for the unit was supported by a state grant, which paid for new vehicles, equipment, training, and the dogs themselves.
Once in service, the K-9s are expected to be on the streets for some six to eight years.
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