MTA Police Canine Unit Receives 2021 Top Dog Award

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY —The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police Department Canine Unit was recognized as an honoree at the Stephen and Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center’s 2021 Top Dog Gala.

The Top Dog Award is presented to a group of working dogs in honor of their commendable service.

On behalf of the MTA Police Department Canine Unit, Sgt. Nelson Hernandez, Police Officer Daniel Gambrell, Police Officer Allan Fong with canine partner, Daucher, and PO Giselle Gil with canine partner, Willie, accepted the award at Tuesday's event in honor of their service and sacrifice.

"We are proud of the work our canine teams put in from the start of training to day-to day operations," MTA Police Chief Joseph McGrann said in a statement announcing the honor. "This recognition is a reminder that our canine unit are frontline workers too, who serve and protect alongside a police officer."

The MTA PD Canine Unit currently has 36 teams whose mission is to deter terrorism and prevent crime on the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, Staten Island Railway and at respective transportation terminals and facilities.

The MTA PD Canine Unit reinvented canine training to be effective in terrorist prevention in a public transit environment after Sept. 11, 2001. They’ve implemented a combination of unique patrol, intel, canine explosive detection tactics and have learned to adapt to different threats as they develop.

The MTA PD has one of the largest canine explosives detection forces in the country, according to the law enforcement agency.

In June of 2015, the MTA PD Canine Training Center (CTC) was opened in Stormville in Dutchess County to better enable the extensive training required. The main building is 20,000 square feet on 71 acres and is recognized as the most advanced and largest police canine facility in the country. The training center is equipped with 26 in/outdoor kennels, a canine medical room, real-world simulated training fields, including train cars, railroad tracks and signaled crossings.

"This award deservingly shines the spotlight on our canine teams who undergo extensive training," Lieutenant James Chirillo explained. "Most people don’t realize how challenging it can be to train a dog for a mass transit environment — to become accustomed to noise, crowds and even extreme weather in some situations. The MTA PD’s Canine unit are truly special dogs."