New Secaucus Police Dog Added; Strobe Retired After Less Than A Year

SECAUCUS, NJ —Secaucus Police added a new police dog this spring and resumed operations of its Canine Unit, after the department's first K-9 Strobe was hired and retired in the same year, 2021.

The new dog, Brix, pictured above, was purchased by the SPD in September 2022. However, he and handler Secaucus Police Officer Tyler Pein just started working on the force this week.

Pein and Brix had to undergo 29 weeks of training at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Canine Academy, which they just completed this past Friday, April 14.

They started working on Monday of this week.

As Patch reported at the time, the Secaucus Police Department's first dog, Strobe, was brought on board in May 2021. He was purchased for $11,000, funded entirely by a private donation from the Steven Strobert Foundation.

Steven Strobert was one of six Secaucus residents killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks; he was working for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the WTC on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

However, K-9 Strobe was retired after less than a year of service after his handler, Officer Vince DeFazio, was promoted to sergeant. There were no issues with Strobe, said Police Chief Dennis Miller. His handler, DeFazio, had been promoted.

Officer Pein and Brix have been assigned to the Operations unit and will "assist Secaucus Police in furthering proactive policing," said Miller this week.

Brix has been trained in obedience, article/evidence searches, scent work, tracking, criminal apprehension and handler protection. Brix has also been trained to detect various controlled dangerous substances, with the exception of marijuana.

Brix was purchased for $8,950 from Connecticut Canine Services with money from forfeited funds (money seized from criminal proceeds). No Secaucus tax dollars were used in his purchase.

The Secaucus Police Department is also still using Oakley, the therapy dog privately owned by one of its officers, which he takes to fairs, street parades and to comfort seniors and children.

Brix will also be used for community demonstrations, "in hopes of enhancing our community policing efforts," said Miller.

Meet Strobe, Secaucus Police Dept.'s First Police Canine (May 2021)

Secaucus Police Start Using Therapy Dog Oakley In Patrol Duties (July 2020)

Secaucus Boy Scouts Meet Oakley, SPD's Therapy Dog (January 2023)