The Pittsfield Police Department currently has four Police dog handlers, and three dogs. Sgt. James Parise leads the unit and is in the process of obtaining a new dog after the recent passing of his partner, K9 Niko. Officer Steven Haecker and K9 Apollo, Officer Nicholas Sondrini and K9 Jango, and Officer Jeffrey Slater and K9 Rico make up the current K9 Unit. The teams are cross trained in patrol, tracking, and narcotic detection. After initial training, the dogs are Nationally Certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA).
In 2008 the PPD began to offer training other police department K9 teams. Over ten teams from Massachusetts and Connecticut have gone through Patrol and narcotic training in our city. In the spring of 2009 the City of Pittsfield hosted a workshop sponsored by the Massachusetts Police Work Dog Association (MaPWDA). 17 teams participated in the week long training session.
The PPD K9 unit has operated consistently since 1991. Since that time nine K9 officers have served the City of Pittsfield.
K-9 Honor Roll
K9 Niko 2015 to 2019
Deceased – Handled by Sergeant Parise
K9 Nero 2007 to 2013
Deceased – Handled by Sergeant Parise
K9 Tiger 1990 to 1995
Deceased – Handled by Officer Stimpson and Officer Foisy
K9 Orso 1995 to 1997
Deceased – Handled by Officer Foisy
K9 Iyox 1997 to 2007
Deceased – Handled by Officer Foisy
K9 Ki 2007 to 2009
Deceased – Handled by Officer Foisy
K9 Ciro 2006 to 2017
Deceased – Handled by Detective Losaw
K-9s Retired from Service
K9 Remi 2013 to 2015
Retired– Handled by Sergeant Parise
K9 Jack 1998
Handled by Officer Strout
K9 Nick
Handled by Officer Strout