NPD’s Newest Recruit Has A Nose For Police Work

By Andrew Gorosko

The police department has just added a 44th member to its roster. But this member has four legs, an exceptional sense of smell, and especially keen hearing.

Baro (pronounced barrow) came onboard at the organization on October 30 and will be used for a variety of law enforcement tasks. The police department has not had a police dog for more than 20 years.

Andrew “Andy” Stinson, 28, a patrol officer who started work at the police department in July 2001, will be Baro’s handler, supervising the handsome black, white, and tan canine’s activities while on duty. The dog’s distinctive coloring includes pale tan rings around his eyes.

Besides regular duty on the police evening shift, the Stinson/Baro team will be on call in the event that a police dog’s services are needed on the day shift or the overnight shift.

Baro, who is 17 months old, received his initial training in the Czech Republic, receiving police dog command training in the German language.

Officer Stinson explained that he will be learning the various German-language commands in which Baro has been trained to supervise the dog’s actions while on patrol.

Baro’s training is expected to be completed by Christmas, after which he will work with Officer Stinson during his normal evening patrol shifts.

A police patrol car will be specially outfitted for police dog use. The rear seat will be removed to provide the dog with ample room while in transit. The car will be equipped with a remotely controlled rear door, which will allow Officer Stinson to open the door from a distance to let the dog out of the vehicle in the event that the dog is needed quickly.

The police car carrying the dog will have temperature monitors and ventilation equipment installed to keep conditions comfortable for the canine, Officer Stinson explained.

The dog’s prime tasks will involve using his keen sense of smell to help find missing persons and help locate fleeing suspects. The dog also will be used to search for illegal drugs.

Baro also provides police with the option of using canine force against aggressors in the form of “bite work,” Officer Stinson said.

The animal has a good disposition and is friendly toward people, Officer Stinson said. However, in the event that a canine show of force is necessary, the dog can be aggressive on command, he added.

“He loves people…People aren’t the bad guys, until I tell him they’re the bad guys,” Officer Stinson said.

The dog may participate in the police’s nighttime motor vehicle stops of motorists, as needed, he said.

Baro will attend the police department’s public presentations, he said. Officer Stinson is a member of the police department’s four-member crime prevention unit.

“We plan on using [Baro] as much as possible,” Officer Stinson said.

In the past, when town police have needed the services of a dog, they have called on state police, Monroe police, and New Milford police for canine services.

Similarly, when other police agencies are need of a police dog’s services, Newtown police would provide the use of Baro, Officer Stinson said.

Baro will live with Officer Stinson at home and be brought by him to and from work. The policeman is hand feeding the 80-pound dog to develop a strong bond with the animal. Baro should reach his physical maturity in about six months to a year. Such dogs may work on regular patrol shifts for a period of five to seven years.

The dog will be identified as a police dog while on duty by wearing a badge on his collar. Also, he will be provided with a vest to serve as body armor.

When the dog performs his tasks well, he will be rewarded by being allowed to play with a dog toy, Officer Stinson said. Food is not used as a reward to prevent such dogs from becoming fat, he said.

Police purchased the dog with drug asset forfeiture funds. Drug dealers’ assets that are seized by police in arrests provide a source of funds for police purchases related to drug enforcement.

Police have budgeted $15,000 for the current fiscal year to get their canine program started and operating. Of that amount, $9,800 is designated for dog acquisition and training, and $5,200 for related equipment.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said that the public’s calls for police service in which police dog use would be helpful most often occur during the second work shift, from 4 pm to midnight.

“The entire [police] department is looking forward to this,” Chief Kehoe said of a police dog’s presence.