Pittsburgh Police Welcome 4 K-9 Graduates To Force
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh has the second oldest K-9 police force in the country. On Friday morning, the city held a graduation ceremony to add four new K-9 officers and handlers.
That brings Pittsburgh's total to 23 K-9 units. Only Philadelphia has more in the state of Pennsylvania.
"The City of Pittsburgh K-9 Unit is looked at as experts from around western Pennsylvania," Police Chief Scott Schubert said
In addition to working on patrols in the city, many of Pittsburgh's K-9 units will help surrounding cities when they have cases that can be helped by the dogs.
Two of the graduates, Officer Dustin Rummell and Officer Kevin Foley, are brand new to the K-9 program.
Officer Tony Yauch and Officer Lucas Coyne have had K-9 partners in the past.
Sgt. Chad O'Brien is the supervisor of Pittsburgh's K-9 program.
"The first one we have actually brought on new handlers, so it is very rewarding to give them a new opportunity, and just to see the commitment and the passion that they have shown already to want to work the dog, it is special and I am very proud of that," Sgt. O'Brien said.
Yauch is paired with a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, his third K-9 partner.
"To be able to combine the two things that I love the most -- working with the dogs and law enforcement -- it was a no-brainer for me," Yauch said.
Yauch has worked for the Pittsburgh Police for 23 years, the last 15 as a K-9 handler.
The extensive 12-week training is a workout and Pittsburgh is very selective in matching their teams.
"The dogs of this class were chosen because they demonstrated the highest quality," says K-9 trainer Officer Bill Watts. "They exhibit courage, social ability, trainability, and desire to work."
In addition to their training for patrol work, the dogs also are trained in explosive detection or narcotics detection. The city's Director of Public Safety knows what an asset they are to the force.
"I will continue to support them however I can with resources and money to continue this program and to advance it in the next coming year," says Wendell Hissrich.
You don't have to convince Officer Yauch about the dog's value on the street.
"Our administration has been extremely supportive, the amount of the cost of the dogs, but I think they understand they're irreplaceable what these dogs can do and what they bring to the table. There's nothing else out there that can do what they do," Yauch said.
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