K9 UNIT

After watching the drug related crime in Somerset steadily increase, the Somerset Police Department knew it was time to do something about it. Luckily, a local citizen, Mark Miller had attended the 2005 edition of National Night Out and saw a Police K9 demonstration. His question was, “Why doesn’t Somerset have and K9 Unit?” He posed this question to Chief Randy Cox and Mayor Bill Meyer who advised him that although they saw a need and had a desire for such a unit the issue was the significant amount of money that was necessary to implement a K9 unit. Four days later, Mark returned to the Chief and the Mayor and advised them that the commitment to supply the necessary money was there.

Mark had arranged for an initial $15,000.00 in start-up money and an annual $8,000.00 contribution after that by combining the resources of Somerset Hospital, Somerset County and the County’s SCA, the entity that distributes federal and state monies earmarked for drug and alcohol prevention, intervention and treatment.

On November 30, 2005, newly-named Somerset Police K9 Handler Brian Harbart accepted delivery of Arny, a then 13 month old, Czech-born German Shepard. In the spring of 2006, Arny and Brian had were certified in drug detection and will have completed their certification in Patrol before summer.

Arny and Brian, besides completing their regular duties, are also available for demonstrations to local organizations. Call the department for more details.

Past Articles;

• The new staffing, including the K-9 unit
• Swearing In Ceremony
• First Bust