Canines and their handlers graduate from the 2018 New York State Police Canine Handler Basic School
The canines and their handlers underwent 20 weeks of training at the New York State Police Canine Training Facility located in Cooperstown, New York. During the training, students and their partners received instruction in basic obedience, agility, handler protection, building searches, explosive or narcotic detection, tracking for fugitives and lost or missing persons, basic veterinary care and land navigation and grid searches.
The current strength of the State Police Canine Unit is 99 teams, including those who graduated today. During the first eight months of 2018, the members of the Division Canine Unit responded to more than 6,000 calls for service.
Canines that are part of the Division Canine Unit are donated through the generosity of breeders, private individuals, and humane societies. All canines are put through extensive testing and evaluation prior to assignment in the Canine Basic Handler’s School. State Police canines are named after members who have died in the line of duty.
The following is a full list of the graduating handlers, their canines and namesakes, and assigned Troop:
Trooper James R. Bolszio, Canine Conrad – Troop A, Trooper James D. Conrad
Trooper Michael P. Schmit, Canine Nugent – Troop A, Trooper Jerome B. Nugent
Trooper Kristopher R. Jones, Canine Semrov – Troop C, Trooper Robert M. Semrov
Trooper Dale A. Buck, Canine Rylo – Troop E, Trooper Darryl J. Burroughs Sr.
Trooper Jason A. Miller, Canine Baker – Troop G, Corporal Leroy John Baker
Trooper Matthew P. Rufa, Canine Kinson – Troop G, Corporal Earl R. Wilkinson
Trooper Ulysses V. Matsoukas, Canine Dobbs – Troop K, Trooper William F. Dobbs Jr.
Trooper Edward E. Reiser III, Canine Dunn – Troop K, Trooper Viccent A. Dunn
Trooper Kevin G. Wloensky, Canine Hover – Troop K, Trooper Charles E. Hover
Trooper Thomas K. Chadwick, Canine Gohery– Troop L, Trooper James R. Gohery
Trooper William M. Murray, Canine Stuewer – Troop NYC, Investigator Paul R. Stuewer
Trooper Shawn C. Gourdine, Canine Ash – Troop T, Trooper Paul Ashburn
