New K-9 Jet Joins Hamden Police Department

HAMDEN, CT — K-9 Jet is joining the Hamden Police Department after graduating from the K-9 Police Academy last week, according to officials.

“Congratulations to Officer Kevin Cugini and K-9 Jet who graduated the K-9 Police Academy on December 6th, 2023!” officials wrote in a post on the Hamden Police Department’s Facebook page. “Welcome to the family Jet!”

K-9 Jet will be introduced at a meet and greet event, hosted by Hometown Foundation Inc. and KeyBank, at KeyBank’s Hamden branch on Thursday, Dec. 14. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at KeyBank at 1248 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden.

K-9 Jet is a 20-month-old male German Shepherd who recently graduated from the Capital Region Training Group and is trained in GSR (gunshot residue) and Patrol (tracking and apprehension).

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with KeyBank, underwrote the cost to acquire K-9 Jet for the Hamden Police Department as an addition to the K-9 team. The sponsorship is part of Hometown’s Emergency Response Personnel pillar, according to officials.

Officials said KeyBank provided $5,000 toward the $15,000 sponsorship as part of the bank’s commitment to the Hamden community.