Senate Resolution No. 995

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

HONORING and remembering the New York State Police
retired K-9s

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those canines who served to preserve and protect such values,
lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the
daily performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize and commend such outstanding
K-9 officers for their valued contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor and remember
the New York State Police retired K-9s; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, the New York State Police created the Division
Canine Unit; three Troopers were selected to receive the specialized
training to become canine handlers; their dogs, Crow, Miss Jicky and
Baretta were put into service solely as explosives detection canines in
preparation for the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York;
and

WHEREAS, The Baltimore Police Department, which was chosen as the
training agency, possessed one of the largest canine units in the United
States and were experimenting with a new method of training that came to
be known as the "Baltimore Method"; and

WHEREAS, The "new method" of training dictated that the canines be
sociable, allowed to be in and around the general public, and reside in
the handlers residence; this method, is still one of the most prevalent
training methods used in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, the Division of State Police began training its
own canines utilizing the Baltimore Method; the first training center
was located at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, New York;
and

WHEREAS, One year later, the Canine Unit moved its training facility
to Sidney, New York, where it remained until 1987 when the New York
State Department of Correctional Services provided the Unit with a
training location on the grounds of Great Meadow Correctional Facility
in Comstock, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, 50 canines were trained to become a part of the
New York State K-9 Unit; and

WHEREAS, The Canine Unit finally found a permanent home in
Cooperstown, New York, in 2000; through the generosity of philanthropist
Jane Forbes Clark and the Clark Foundation, the Canine Unit was provided
with a state of the art training facility unmatched anywhere in the
United States; and

WHEREAS, The 10,000 square foot structure can accommodate 15
students and staff and provides a variety of training applications;
additionally, the Facility serves as a central command center for the
entire Canine Unit being centrally located in the State, and is open to
all Police Agencies; and

WHEREAS, The Training Facility has proven to be a tremendous asset
to the Division of State Police and the Canine Unit; there are currently
29 explosives detection canine teams, 57 narcotic detection teams and
four bloodhound teams; of the 57 narcotics detection teams, 20 are
additionally trained in cadaver detection, and nine of the explosives
detection canine handlers are also serving on the Bomb Disposal Unit;
and

WHEREAS, In this 21-week training period, a new handler and a
untrained canine are teamed together and undergo a strenuous program
during which the teams are instructed in: basic obedience, agility,
handler protection, either narcotics or explosives detection, tracking,
building searches, veterinary first aid, and land navigation-map and
compass course; and

WHEREAS, The students are required to pass all aspects of training
to receive certification; upon completion of the Canine Handlers Basic
School, the teams are sent out on patrol and receive re-certification
bi-annually at the Training Facility; and

WHEREAS, After giving their heart and soul to their handlers and the
people of New York State, K-9 members are officially retired and
automatically granted lifetime membership into the Association of Former
New York State Troopers, Inc. (AFNYST), the first such group in the
nation to grant K-9 members full lifetime membership into an
organization consisting of only people; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to recognize the efforts
of the gallant and brave four-legged K-9 officers who devoted themselves
to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in
providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities
and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly dedicate their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and remember the New York State Police retired K-9s; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Walter Marchewka, President, Capital District Chapter of
the Association of Former New York State Troopers, Inc.