PHOTO: The Manchester Township Police Department on Friday announced the arrival of K-9 Officer Lynk, a 14 month old German Shepherd who will reside with his handler, K-9 Officer Steven Wendruff.
K-9 Officer Lynk arrived at police headquarters on Friday, August 7th, and will begin training as part of the Ewing Township Police Department’s (Mercer County) K-9 Patrol Class #3 on Monday, August 10th where he will be trained as a Dual Purpose K-9. Dual Purpose K-9’s are trained in the areas of police patrol operations, such as tracking and locating missing persons, suspects and evidence, as well as in narcotics detection. With one of the largest senior citizen populations in the state and many vast expanses of wooded areas, coupled with the ever-growing illicit drug epidemic in Ocean County, Lynk is a welcome addition to the Manchester Police force and community.
The free, 16 week K-9 Patrol Class will be conducted by Lead K-9 Trainer, Matthew Nemes of the Ewing Township Police Department and K-9 Trainer Matthew Nemes of the Lawrence Township Police Department. Upon successful completion of the K-9 Patrol class, K-9 Officer Wendruff and Lynk will resume patrol activities before receiving 14 weeks of scent detection (narcotic) training through the New Jersey State Police. The NJSP scent detection school is tentatively scheduled to begin on March 7, 2016.
“The addition of a second canine team to our department will allow us to better serve and protect our community,” Chief Lisa Parker said.
Lakewood does not have its own K9 team, and relies on either the County K9 or dogs from surrounding townships when needed.
K-9 Officer Lynk was purchased using money from Manchester’s Law Enforcement Trust Account, which is comprised of revenue generated from seized and forfeited assets.
The Manchester Township Police Department would like to thank: Lead K-9 Trainer, Matthew Nemes, K-9 Trainer, Ronald Buchanan as well as Whiting Veterinary Services for donating examinations and medications.
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Exactly why doesn’t Lakewood have their own K9’s?? I think the efficiency of the town having their own K9 would make LPD a better prepared town and not have to rely on outside agencies to help all the time..Just think about having a K9 on duty to detect Drugs and find missing people..that is quite an asset
Hmmm
We cant afford bussing now u want a k9
#1 , because certain people don’t want k9s here. Sad but true.
I think with new blood LPD will have K9s in the future, so that there is never a delay in getting a dog to a scene of a crime or missing person. Having the county and other departments as backup is smart but for a town our size they need to go back to having K9s. Last K9s in LPD were in the late 80’s. Its time once again.
The way it works in this part of Jersey it that’s townships pool resources to save money! example lakewood will have a SWAT team an Manchester will have a k-9 unit each will backup the other when the resource is needed. Unlike big cities where unfortunately is needed everyday. Township like Lake may only uses the once a month. So wouldn’t make sense to ‘have it all’
Lakewood PD had a K-9 unit in the past and it was a great unit