New York Troopers History

The first NYS Police dogs were purchased for a sum of $10,000 from the US Army with training conducted at the Baltimore, Maryland Police Department. Training was for explosive detection in preparation for the upcoming 1980 Winter Olympics to be held at Lake Placid. A new method of training was introduced to have the canines be sociable, allowed to be in and around the general public, and reside in the handler’s residence. Most canines up to this point were extremely aggressive and kenneled when not in use. This type training is now referred to as the “Baltimore Method”.

In 1978, the Division of State Police having had success with the initial three canines began training its own canines utilizing the “Baltimore Method”. The first training location was the New York State Police Academy in Albany, New York. In 1979, the Canine Unit moved its training to Sidney, New York until 1987 when the NYS Department of Correctional Services provided the Unit with a training location on the grounds of Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, New York.

In 2000, the Canine Unit was given a permanent home in Cooperstown, New York thanks to the generosity of philanthropist Jane Forbes Clark and the Clark Foundation. The Canine Unit was provided with a state of the art training facility unmatched anywhere in the United States. The Facility is a 10,000 square foot colonial style structure set on approximately 2,000 acres of pristine countryside. The Facility can accommodate 15 students and staff and provides a variety of training applications that is open to all agencies.

There are currently thirty-one explosives detection canines, thirty-two narcotics detection canines, and three bloodhounds. The bloodhounds are utilized exclusively for tracking. Of the thirty-two narcotics detection canines, sixteen are additionally trained in cadaver detection. Additionally, eleven of the explosives detection canine handlers are also serving on the Bomb Disposal Unit.

The training program still follows the traditional “Baltimore Method”. However, in contrast to the first three canines, all canines are now generously donated to the Canine Unit through Humane Societies, private citizens, and breeders from all over the northeast at no cost to the Division of State Police. These canines undergo a rigorous screening process which includes testing in: sociability, play drive, aggression, agility abilities, and state of the art medical screening provided by the Division Veterinarian prior to assignment to a handler. Upon the conclusion of the canine screening process, the most suitable canines are chosen for the twenty week Basic Handler School.

In this twenty week training period, a new handler and a untrained canine are teamed together and undergo a strenuous program during which the teams are instructed in: basic obedience, agility, handler protection, either narcotics or explosives detection, tracking, building searches, veterinary first aid, and land navigation – map and compass course. The students are required to pass all aspects of training to receive certification. Upon completion of the Canine Handlers Basic School, the teams are sent out on patrol and receive re-certification bi-annually at the Training Facility.

NYS TROOPERS CANINE’S

Retired Sergeant JOHN J. CURRY enlisted in the State Police in February 1970 serving with distinction until his retirement in 2003, as a canine handler and explosives expert.

In 1975, Curry along with Troopers Arthur Krug & James Keogh volunteered and were selected, as the troopers first Shepherd Canine handler’s. Dogs were initially purchased from the US Army with a six months training course taken at the Baltimore, Maryland Police Academy.

Curry’s first dog was named CROW who was his constant companion for 14 years, Trooper Krug had MISS JICKY for 10 years and Trooper Keogh had BERETTA for 7 years.

In 1977, Curry was designated in charge of the Canine Unit. He immediately initiated a NYSP training program at Albany, NY utilizing the Baltimore Method. Dogs were donated or retrieved from Dog Shelters, evaluated, then put through an extensive six months of training. Dogs were trained in obedience, bomb & drug recognition and handler protection.

Curry related that while visiting the Troop Headquarters at Loudonville, NY, he observed a brass plate with the name Trooper ROY A. DONIVAN. Donovan had been shot to death by highway robbers in 1923. This generated an idea that came to fruition, when Curry began naming new canines honoring special individuals and those troopers killed in the line duty.

The first dog he named was BIG BOY BRUMMER to honor Bertram F. Brummer, a New York City Philanthropist who in 1968 provided a trust fund to annually recognize and honor NYS Troopers for bravery and devotion to duty above and beyond the call of duty. BIG BOY BRUMMER'S handler was Trooper George R. Hamilton assigned at Troop "C".

The first dog named to honor a fallen brother was DILLON after Trooper Emerson J. Dillon who was shot and killed in October 1974 while checking a suspicious car. Second was DODGE named for Trooper Ray C. Dodge who was shot and killed investigating a property line dispute in July 1974. Dillon and Dodge were the first selected because they were acquaintances of Curry. Dillon’s handler was Trooper Walter Delap & Dodge’s handler was Trooper Steven Valk.

During the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, Curry was in charge of a team of nine (9) dogs that provided 24 hour security in and around the Olympic Venues. During his career, Curry trained 250 Canines for service with the NYS Police. A job well done and much appreciated.