EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — The East Hartford Police Department, renowned for its K-9 Training Program, held a graduation ceremony Tuesday for both the handlers and the dogs who made it through 12 weeks of course work.
School started in early September followed by weeks of training. At the Community Cultural Center in East Hartford, six K-9 teams from police departments around the area have now graduated.
“We are graduating six K-9 officers and their partners going to the towns of Windsor, East Hartford, Cromwell, Newington, and Easthampton, Massachusetts.” said Sgt. Todd Mona, a veteran East Hartford officer and lead trainer for the K-9 Academy. “We have some extremely talented, extremely driven dogs here.”
Officer Ally Finik and partner K-9 Tiger will soon join the force at the Windsor Police Department as a team.
“Everyone in the class -- we have all come a long way and we’ve all been motivated since day one," Finik said. “It’s been a long process but very rewarding.”
After all six K-9 teams took the stage, the focus of the event turned to honor East Hartford police dogs Casus and Capo. Both have served for years and are retiring. They will live with their handlers and enjoy their homes.
“It’s a great day, they should all be proud of themselves and their partners, they have all endured a lot over these last 12 and a half weeks," Mona added.
The newly certified K-9 teams include:
- Justin Malinowski and K-9 Jerry, Easthampton, Mass. PD
- Brian Dean and K-9 Cash, Cromwell PD
- Nick Casasanta and K-9 Ray, Newington PD
- Ally Finik and K-9 Tiger, Windsor PD
- Juan Rivera and K-9 Zeus, East Hartford PD
- Sgt. Todd Mona and K-9 Scorso, East Hartford PD
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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