State Police Graduates New Class Of Police Dogs

ROCKY HILL, CT — A new class of police canines and their handlers completed their training and graduated to the beat Thursday.

According to the Connecticut State Police, a total of seven teams made up the 226th K-9 Patrol Class as taught by the Connecticut State Police's K-9 unit.

The all participated in graduation ceremonies Thursday in Rocky Hill.

All of the teams began their professional journey Feb. 14 for a total of 14 weeks of intense instruction and training.

Now graduated, the K-9s are certified in tracking, obedience, building searches, evident and handler protection/apprehension, police said.

Meanwhile, the police dog handlers undergo special training in handling the dogs, medical care for K-9s, legal issues and firearms training with the dogs present.

The following graduate on Thursday:
• Trooper First Class Bruce Lachance and Nitro, state police at Troop K in Colchester.
• Trooper Sierra Lebron-Hernandez and Krypto, state police at Troop G in Bridgeport.
• Trooper Michael Nisbet and Apollo, state police at Troop C in Tolland.
• Trooper Raymond Sulich and Zedo, state police at Troop E in Montville.
• Officer Danielle Hebert and Enzo, Manchester Police Department.
• Officer Steven Gennuso and Chino, Connecticut Department of Correction.
• Officer Michael WInn and Riggs, Connecticut Department of Correction.

To visit the state police's news website, visit this link.