|
Police Officer Mike Macchia and K-9 Tyro, a German Shepherd from Czechoslovakia are members of the Greenwich Police K-9 Unit.
The unit began in 1988 as part of the Patrol Division. It has proven to be a great asset not only to the Town of Greenwich, but also to its surrounding communities.
The K-9 Unit patrols one of the Department's twelve patrol areas, and is available to respond to situations town wide if needed.
Members of the K-9 Unit must pass an 18-week training program at the Connecticut State Police K-9 Academy in Meriden, Connecticut. The K-9 dogs are trained in tracking criminals and missing persons, building and area searches for suspects, recovery of evidence, and in protecting their handler. Advanced training can include the detection of narcotics and bombs.
Officer Rick Cochran along with his K-9 partner, Yogi, were the first K-9 team in this department. Officer Cochran and K-9 Yogi retired from the unit in 1994 at which time they were replaced by Officer Stanley Ouimette along with his K-9 partner Shadow. Officer Ouimette and Shadow retired from the unit in 1999.
Officer John Thorme and his K-9 partner Shilo replaced Officer Ouimette and his K-9 partner Shadow in 1999. Becoming the departments third K-9 team.
Officer Thorme and K-9 Shilo retired from the unit in February 2007.
Officer Mike Macchia and K-9 Tyro became the fourth K-9 team in Greenwich in 2007. Tyro is certified in Patrol Procedures by the Connecticut State Police and the United States Police Canine Association. In 2008, K-9 Tyro was additionally trained and certified in narcotics detection by the Connecticut State Police.
The K-9 team is assigned its own Police vehicle, which is specially equipped for them. The officer and his K-9 partner live together at the officer's residence. The K-9 team is on call 24 hours a day and is part of the Special Response Unit. Upon the retirement of either the K-9 or the officer, the K-9 remains with the officer.
| 
