Sheriff Carl DuBois welcomes K-9 Skip to the team. Also pictured, Sergeant
David Campbell who trained the graduates, and Skip’s handler,
Sergeant Dustin Palen.
GOSHEN – Eight police K-9s and their handlers graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Academy on Friday.
The graduates were trained for 12 weeks for explosive detection and eight weeks for narcotics detection. The K-9s were taught to locate and then indicate on the presence of narcotic or explosive odors.
“Today was a special day and this collaboration between the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and our local police departments help to make our communities more safe and secure for all of our residents,” said Sheriff Carl DuBois. “This training provided our office with an opportunity to work with other agencies, which builds relationships.”
Graduating partners were Sergeant Dustin Palen from the Orange County
Sheriff’s Office and his K-9 Skip; Deputy Kevin Golden from the
Rockland County Sheriff’s office and his K-9 Lennon; Officer Alex
Lopez from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and his K-9 Bam;
Town of Woodbury Officer Jahn Farrell and K-9 Zeke; Town of Wallkill Officer
Ian Holmes and K-9 Argo; City of Port Jervis Officer Andrew Haniuk and
K-9 Roan; Village of Goshen Sergeant John Manna and K-9 Melville; Jordan
McInterney of the City of Middletown and K-9 Storm, and Deputy Chris Irwin
and his K-9 Kato.
The K-9s and their handlers were trained by Sgt. David Campbell and apprentice trainers Sgt. Palen and Sgt. Jose Rodriguez of the U.S. Park Police. Campbell was recognized for his 20 years of service with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office including the last 16 years with the K-9 unit. He is retiring next month.
Sgt. Palen and Officer Haniuk were presented with ballistic vests for their K-9s in memory of former K-9 Deputy Robert “Skip” Dooley, who died in October at age 69. Palen’s K-9 is named after Dooley, who retired in 2011. His family presented the vests to the graduates.
