K-9 History

The Washington Township Police Department's K-9 unit was started in 1989 by Sgt. Frank Rossnagle. His partner, Wicko, (pronounced vee-ko) was the first K-9 to serve the township. Wicko was a German Shepherd and was trained as a Patrol Dog. The department's next two dogs (Nekko and Paco) were handled by Sgt. Thomas Cicerelle. They served from 1994 until 2003. Both were German Shepherds and both were cross-trained as Patrol and Narcotics Detection Dogs.

The department's current K-9 unit is run by handler Ptl. Damon Bee and his partner K-9 Noro. Noro is a German Shepherd and was cross-trained as a Patrol and Narcotics Detection Dog at the Southern Tier police K-9 Academy in Binghamton, NY. Noro is certified in both NY and NJ. He is also certified as a narcotics detector dog by the E. P. C. A.

Effectiveness Over the years Washington Township K-9's have:

• Searched for and located several pounds of illegal drugs
• Seized approximately $100,000.00 in drug assets
• Assisted in the arrest of over a hundred criminals
• Tracked and located missing children
• Tracked wanted suspects
• Conducted several hundred demonstrations at area schools and public events