An Overview Of The K-9 Unit
The K-9 Unit is a vital force of highly-trained officers and their K-9 partners stationed throughout New York State. Each team, comprised of a handler and their dog, has a geographic territory where they are responsible for the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the state's fish, wildlife, and environment. In addition to these duties, the teams aid in locating poachers and hidden evidence, tracking lost people, and assisting other state agencies. The job requires commitment to the K-9 Unit, the ability to work with people, and good tactical judgment.
The first DEC K-9 Unit was started in 1978 when New York State Environmental Conservation Police Officer Richard W. Matzell (shown right with K-9 Api) and K-9 Paws became our first highly trained team. This K-9 Unit started as a pilot program and was later deemed a huge success. Officer Matzell and K-9 Paws attended a 18 week K-9 School at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, New York. K-9 Paws was a one year old male German Shepherd donated to our Division of Law Enforcement for training. As with our present dogs, K-9 Paws was trained in obedience, agility, criminal apprehension, handler protection, tracking, building search, crowd control, search and rescue, and detection of deer meat (venison), furs, and evidence recovery. This successful team made several arrests and even located lost and wanted people during the first year in the field. In an effort to educate the public about the program, K-9 demonstrations and talks were given all over New York State, as well as in neighboring states and Canada.
The dogs are owned by the Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Law Enforcement, which is responsible for the dog food, vet bills, equipment, and liability. Dog licenses, which are free to police service dogs, are issued in the name of the Department of Environmental Conservation at theECO. dog handlers' address.
