Newest K-9 Police Team Begins Work in Enfield

Growing up in Massachusetts, Chris Dufresne knew he wanted a specialized career in law enforcement.

"There was a police dog in my hometown, and I always wanted to be a dog handler. Then when I was in the Army, I saw military dogs and decided that's really what I wanted to do," the 10-year veteran of the Enfield Police Department said in an interview Tuesday.

That ambition has come true, as Dufresne and his German shepherd, Bruin, were among 16 K-9 teams from across the state that graduated from the K-9 Police Academy in Meriden on Jan. 17.

Enfield had an opening for one of its three K-9 teams when Niko, the department's first German shepherd, retired in the summer of 2012.

Bruin, a 15-month-old purebred, was imported from Holland, and was partnered with Dufresne over Labor Day weekend, about two weeks after the dog's arrival in the United States.

Dufresne and Bruin had about a month of bonding together before beginning training in October. The 15-week program included training in human tracking, evidence recovery, building searches and handler protection.

The new dog is not yet trained in narcotics detection, but will likely go to narcotics school within a year, Dufresne said.

In his first two weeks on the job, Bruin has not yet been called to action, but he is ready for work. He also looks the part, donning a state-of-the-art bullet and stab protective vest, donated by Sandy Marcal of Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. of East Taunton, MA.

Dufresne and Bruin join K-9 teams Brian Croteau and Promise, and Matt Worden and Falco.

Bruin loves frolicking and playing ball, but residents are reminded that he is a working police dog. "If you come across a police dog, do not attempt to pet him without permission of his handler," Dufresne said.