The Logan Township Police Department K-9 Unit currently has two K-9’s. Their handlers are Patrolman Alex Vazquez with his partner K-9 Freddy and Patrolman George Swander with his partner K-9 Ciro.  Combining police officers with trained canines enhances public / officer safety, expands police capabilities and improves overall department efficiency.

 

The Officers and their K-9’s received their initial Police K-9 Training at Shallow Creek Kennels where
K-9 Freddy and K-9 Ciro were certified in narcotics detection (marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and ecstasy), tracking, and criminal apprehension. The K-9 team receives monthly training and is certified annually by James Walstrom, owner and master trainer of  Keystone K9 and Security  in narcotics detection, obedience, and criminal apprehension, under the Eastern Police Canine Association guidelines.

 

K-9 Freddy and K-9 Ciro also serve as backup to the other officers at the Logan Township Police Department as well as nearby departments on high-risk incidents such as felony arrest warrants, search warrants, building or area searches and high-risk vehicle stops. The K-9 Unit has also conducted drug /  locker searches in schools in Blair County such as the Altoona Area High School and Junior High School, Tyrone Area High School, Bellwood Area High School, Altoona Area Vo-Tech, Central High School, Glendale High School, and Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

K-9 Freddy and K-9 Ciro are both taken home at the end of their scheduled shifts, and are a part of their respective families. In addition to scheduled shifts, our K-9 team is on-call 24 hours a day and are ready to respond to assist not only Logan Township, but the needs of neighboring law enforcement agencies.

 

The K-9’s duties also include public demonstrations and educational discussions at local elementary and middle schools, and events that are requested by the public. If you would like to schedule a K-9 demonstration with your school, group, or other function, please contact Chief David Reese by emailing                                                                                                                        ltpd@logantownship-pa.gov  or by phone at (814)949-3364.