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UPDATE: Due to significant cuts in the police department's 2010 operating budget, we regret to announce the dissolution of our K-9 program as of March 6, 2010. Since inception, the K-9 program has proved to be a very valuable asset to our department in our efforts to track missing persons, conduct drug/narcotics interdiction and locate and apprehend suspects. By ending our program, the department expects to realize a substantial savings in overtime costs associated with mandatory monthly/annual training and certification requirements. Once the City's financial outlook improves and funding levels are restored to levels necessary to provide services that our citizens have come to expect and deserve, the department intends to review the opportunity to re-establish our K-9 program. We send our sincere appreciation to all of our handlers - Officers Joseph Carey, Mark Leffler, and Paul Veitch (and their K9 partners) - for their years of dedicated commitment to the program and the citizens of Saratoga Springs.
The Saratoga Springs Police Department's K-9 Teams were formed in 1997, after Officers Mark Leffler and Joseph Carey, with their partners Joky and Neka, received eight weeks of specialized training at the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department K-9 Training Center. Following the initial eight weeks, the officers continued their training by attending a five week drug detection school. Officer Carey, serving the department since 1986 and a federally certified Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor, is partnered with Neka, a female pure breed German Shepard born in the Czech Republic. Both Officer Carey and Neka continue to serve to this day, although Neka sees limited service due to her age. Officer Mark Leffler, serving the department since 1994, was originally partnered with Joky, a male pure breed German Shepard born in the Czech Republic in 1995. Joky passed away in January of 2006. In the spring of 2006, Officer Mark Leffler and Paul Veitch were teamed up with new partners Dara and Agbar. Officer Leffler is partnered with Dara, a female pure breed German Shepard born in the Czech Republic. Officer Paul Veitch, serving the department since 2000, is partnered with Agbar, a male pure breed German Shepard born in the Czech Republic. Both K-9 Teams are currently serving the community on the First and Third Shifts.
K-9 Joky (above left) passed K-9 Neka (above right) continues limited service with the department away in January of 2006.
K-9 Team Mark Leffler and Dara, Chief Moore, PO Joe Carey, Captain Mike Biss and K-9 Team Paul Veitch and Agbar (2006)
K-9 Deployment
Because of a superior sense of smell and hearing and potential aggressiveness, the trained law enforcement canine is a valuable supplement to police manpower. Utilization of the department's canines requires adherence to procedures that properly control their use of force potential and that channel their specialized capabilities into legally acceptable crime prevention and control activities. Canine teams are available on a 24-hour, on-call basis to conduct building searches for offenders in hiding; assist in the arrest or prevent the escape of serious or violent offenders; protect officers or others from death or serious injury; track suspects, or locate lost or missing persons, hidden instrumentality's or evidence of a crime; detect the presence of concealed narcotics; and conduct public relations programs for the department. Canine handlers are responsible for determining whether a situation justifies canine use and the appropriate tactical measures that should be taken based upon their expertise and training. In addition to the initial training and certification programs each K-9 Team must pass, their training is ongoing throughout the year, with about an average of two to four additional weeks of training and re-certification every year for each K-9 Team.
Canine Agbar at work (L), and Dara (R).
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Announcements
Police K-9 Teams 
