K-9 Drak, Farmington Police Super Dog

“Can I pet him?”

After spending a few hours with Drak, it’s clear why that’s the question Police Officer Joe Capodiferro is asked most often.

Drak may be a hard-working member of the police force, but his amazing personality has also made him an important member of the Farmington community.

“When we march in parades, people call his name out. Wherever I go, people ask, ‘How is the dog?'” Capodiferro said. “People have been very generous, donating veterinary service, grooming, and a bullet- and knife-proof vest.”

Officer Capodiferro has been on the Town of Farmington Police force since 1990.

"I always wanted to work with a dog,” he explained. “Seven years ago I submitted a proposal and I was lucky enough to get chosen.”

Like many police dogs, Drak was born and bred in Czechoslovokia and received Schutzhund training, a sport that rates dogs for obedience, tracking and protection.

“The benefit of getting a dog that has been trained in Schutzhund is that you can be sure the dog has the right temperament to do police work, has had most of his training, and gets along well with people,” Capodiferro said.

In 2006, Officer Capodiferro and his K-9 partner Drak were certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association for patrol, tracking, and narcotics detection. Drak is trained to search for objects and cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine and ectasy.

Drak and Officer Capodiferro were recognized for their bravery, professionalism and dedication to service and were awarded second runner-up, Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Daniel Wasson Memorial K9 Award in 2009 for their role in apprehending the Webster Bank robbers and assisting a resident hostage escape without injury.  

When we left police headquarters on a weekday afternoon, Drak showed his workaholic side immediately, clearly patrolling the town from his perch in the back of the patrol car.

But it isn’t all work for Drak.

Every Thursday afternoon Officer Capodiferro brings Drak to Union School for Bow Wow Biscuits. Special Education students buy the ingredients, cook the biscuits, and sell them at a stand once a week. The students look forward to Drak’s visits. Thursday was a special day, as Farmington Search & Rescue dog Hunter and four other area K9 police dogs joined Drak at the biscuit stand in a farewell visit to tutor Heidi Hunter Siegfried who is moving out of the area.

“It’s all about making the town safer,” Capodiferro said.

After driving with Drak, I know this police dog adds far more to our town than that.