State Police Trace Use Of Dogs To 1930s Vernon Homicide

VERNON, CT — The use of trained dogs by State police can be traced back to a Vernon homicide case in the 1930s, according to administrators. It was the topic of the "Throwback Thursday" Facebook post made by state police this week.

The post mentions that Walter W. Foley was the very first canine officer for the Connecticut State Police. The first use of a dog took place 85 years ago following the shooting death of a Rockville constable, state police said.

At the time CSP did not partner with dogs but a bloodhound was made available and led troopers on a track that led to the capture of the murder suspect, state police said.

"The state police needed no more evidence that dogs were an essential addition, and although no formal unit existed, the state police began to include bloodhounds in their searches," according to the post.

The bloodhounds were used in missing persons cases and tracking suspects and was eventually sent to a six-week school being offered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

That was in 1944.

Following graduation, the RCMP presented Connecticut State Police with a doberman pinscher named Baron, who "earned his keep with his excellent tracking skills," state police said. The first kennel was established at the Ridgefield barracks in 1944.

"We have come a long way since 1944 and today, state police utilize a variety of canines to include labs, shepherds and bloodhounds. Our canines are trained in a multitude of skills from sniffing out narcotics, explosive devises, accelerants and people, to locating computer hard drives," state police said.

Judging by the uniforms, the attached photo was from after the formal canine unit was established, according to Vernon police records supervisor Brian Smith, a former officer himself.