Guilford Police Unveil First K-9 Unit in 30 Years

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Police Department announced that Officer Brittany Bartlett has added her K9 partner Kobe to the police force.

Earlier this week, Bartlett and K9 Kobe graduated from the Connecticut State Police 184th Patrol K9 Training Troop.

"This training, a rigorous and intensive 15 week long course has prepared both Officer Bartlett and her K9 partner to continue working within the patrol division, while adding an invaluable asset to the town and our neighbors," Guilford police said in a news release.

The Guilford Police Department had not employed a K9 unit for over 30 years.

In 1986, the last K9 team of Officer Stephen Spurrell and his K9 partner, Lancer, left the department. Three decades later, the program was revised pairing Bartlett with her new K9 partner.

K9 Kobe, a black German Shepard is trained in tracking, handler protection, evidence recovery, building searches, obedience and suspect acquisition.

The team will receive constant ongoing training to include being cross trained in narcotics detection. The department is excited about this addition and would like to welcome K9 Kobe to our community, police said in a statement.

Images via Guilford Police Department