COURT HOUSE — Sheriff Gary Schaffer announced today that on March 26, members of the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit attended the United States Police Canine Association Region 15 Scent Trials in Salem. Over 30 K-9 teams from the region and surrounding states competed in the trials.
In 1979, Sgt. Dennis McSweeny from Atlantic City Police Department, along with Ralph Bakely from the Cape May Police Department, Joe Schafer from the Ventnor City Police Department, Henry Madamba and Charlie Seif from the Atlantic City Police Department went to Washington, D.C. and obtained a charter from the USPCA National Executive Board.
Bakely became the first president of Region 15. Since then, United States Police Canine Association Region 15 has become the second largest region in the country.
Receiving high scores in the event were Cape May County Sheriff’s Officer Erick Teasenfitz and Russell Norcross. Norcross and his K-9 partner Bronco tied for first place in the Accelerant Detection Category. Teasenfitz and his K-9 partners K-9 Bailey and K-9 Cyras placed second in the Narcotic Detection Category. Both also achieved USPCA regional scent certifications as K-9 teams.
Schaffer said, “I am extremely proud of these officers and how dedicated they are to their K-9 partner. Being a K-9 handler is a difficult and demanding job. They must be on call 24/7, seven days per week.
Our local law enforcement agencies know the value of these officers and their K-9 partners. Participating in these competitions give these teams valuable training
experiences as well as giving an independent source a chance to evaluate and critique performance. These officers are to be commended.”
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