The Princeton Police Department announced that it has a new K9 unit.
K9 Harris, a 16 month old Czech Shepherd, and his handler, Corporal Matthew Solovay, graduated from the New Jersey State Police K9 Academy Scent Class #29. During the 14 week training course, Harris received training in specialty scent detection including explosive detection.
Harris was obtained by the police department through a grant with the assistance of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.He will be utilized to locate missing and/or endangered persons as well as tracking suspects apprehension. He will be particularly useful in locating missing victims suffering from mind altering illnesses.
Harris and Solovay are part of the New Jersey Detect and Render Safe Task Force used to provide a uniform and consistent response to the detection of explosives before they can be detonated.
K9 Harris was named in remembrance of Patrolman Walter Harris, a Princeton Borough police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty on February 2, 1946.
