WILDWOOD – For the first time in four decades, a four-legged officer is patrolling Wildwood streets.
Vera, a 2-year-old German shepherd, and handler, Wildwood Police Officer Christopher Katz, graduated from the John “Sonny” Burke Police K-9 Academy in Corbin City Aug. 25. They began patrolling the next day.
The graduation was the culmination of a 22-week training program that prepared handlers and dogs for scenarios they could face on the job. Vera was trained in patrol and detecting narcotics.
“When you’re given this new tool in your toolbox so to speak, you’ve got to reteach your way of how you do police work,” Katz said.
The academy prepared them for hostage situations, burglaries, and gunfire in barrier island terrains like swamps, beaches, woods, and open areas.
Every classroom in the academy represented a different real-world scenario.
“You learn how to control your dog and compose yourself,” Katz said.
Halfway through the program, the class president earned a promotion and was unable to continue training, so Katz stepped up and filled the role.
As acting class president, Katz organized trips and onsite training and even helped build equipment.
Serving as class president earned Katz the program’s first Instructor Appreciation Award. The honor is awarded to an officer who shows “a willingness and desire to become the best K-9 handler possible through self-motivation, determination, and dedication.” Katz said earning the honor meant “everything.”
“I poured my heart and soul into the training,” he said. He also noted the sacrifices his family made as he trained.
On Vera’s first night on patrol, she responded to two calls. One was a warrant on a “known runner” who had given police “problems” in the past. Vera only needed to bark at the suspect to get him to surrender.
“When you put that dog into the scenario, it’s a game changer,” Katz said.
Later that same night, Vera’s presence was enough to break up a large fight, Katz said. She has since participated in narcotics searches.
“In patrol work, [suspects are] more afraid of a dog than a human,” Katz said. “I guess people just don’t want to get bit.”
When Vera is not working, she gets to be a regular dog. She plays with Katz’s pet dogs and even lets Katz’s children lay on her.
“When she goes to work, it’s time to work,” Katz said. “When she’s home, she’s very free, loving and relaxing.”
Police Chief Robert Regalbuto said a trained police dog could cost $3,000 to $8,000. Wildwood police paid for Vera and her training with money raised from T-shirt sales, private donations, and grants.
“There are so many other things that the city goes to their taxpayers for,” Katz said. “We’re going to do things on our own and not have to depend on [taxpayers] to fund this.”
Katz said people all over the country supported Wildwood’s K-9 program, with shirts selling in Texas, California, and Florida. Even tourists and out-of-towners made donations.
“It’s no secret Wildwood has had its share of drug problems, so this is an asset” for locals and visitors, Katz said.
The department is continually accepting donations to fund Vera’s food, veterinarian and equipment costs.
Katz said a beef-and-beer and a T-shirt/sweatshirt sale are being planned.
Adding a K-9 officer was part of the department’s crackdown on drugs and other crimes, Regalbuto said. Police previously borrowed a county Sheriff K-9 before doing so became inadequate to meet their needs.
“We need a dog here, on the boardwalk, on Pacific Avenue, where we have problems,” Regalbuto said.
Katz joined the Wildwood Police Department in January 2015. He was selected as a K-9 handler after writing the chief a letter, being interviewed by Regalbuto and the academy, and having his job performance evaluated.
“Everybody who went through this process could not have been happier or more supportive,” Katz said. “It’s been a true blessing and honor to be given this opportunity to start this program and lead it into the future.”
To contact Taylor Henry, email thenry@cmcherald.com.
