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Robbinsville Township Police Department Adds Second K9 Officer
to Bolster Explosives Detection and Human Tracking
to Bolster Explosives Detection and Human Tracking
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – (October 20, 2017) – The Robbinsville Township Police Department is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a second K9 officer, Rigo.
With the full support of the Robbinsville School District, Rigo - a 16-month old black Labrador Retriever - will be certified in explosive detection and human tracking.
Rigo will partner with School Resource Officer, Patrolman Edward Vincent, and be dispatched to the district’s three school campuses beginning Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
The department’s other K9, Quori, is specifically trained in narcotics detection. Police K9 officers cannot be cross-trained in narcotics and explosives.
“There has been an increase in social media threats across the country, and we are continuously looking for ways to improve the safety of students in the district.” Robbinsville Chief of Police Chris Nitti said. “These threats take time to investigate and authenticate. By deploying Rigo into the schools we will be able to quickly determine if the threat is credible without disrupting the daily school schedule. Additionally, his ability to track human scent will be a tremendous asset when attempting to locate a lost child, missing person or a fleeing suspect.”
Rigo is expected to complete the final phase of his scent training at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center on March 26, 2018.
“We are very excited and fully support our Officer Vincent’s new K9 partner, Rigo.” Robbinsville High principal Molly C. Avery said. “It is yet another example of how the Robbinsville Police Department and the Robbinsville School District, with support from Mayor Dave Fried and the Township, continue to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our faculty and students. Having Rigo as a member of our school family is yet another way to build bridges and strengthen the bonds between officers and students.”
Mayor Fried, who also serves as the Township Public Safety officer, hailed the addition as yet another step forward in strengthening the department and connecting to the community.
“Quori has made such a positive impact on our town, and I am quite certain Rigo will do the same,” he said. “We live in an age where every threat, particularly those involving students and our schools, needs to be taken seriously. Rigo gives us another tool to strengthen an already outstanding police department. I want to thank Principal Avery and the entire school district for their continued support.”
With the full support of the Robbinsville School District, Rigo - a 16-month old black Labrador Retriever - will be certified in explosive detection and human tracking.
Rigo will partner with School Resource Officer, Patrolman Edward Vincent, and be dispatched to the district’s three school campuses beginning Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
The department’s other K9, Quori, is specifically trained in narcotics detection. Police K9 officers cannot be cross-trained in narcotics and explosives.
“There has been an increase in social media threats across the country, and we are continuously looking for ways to improve the safety of students in the district.” Robbinsville Chief of Police Chris Nitti said. “These threats take time to investigate and authenticate. By deploying Rigo into the schools we will be able to quickly determine if the threat is credible without disrupting the daily school schedule. Additionally, his ability to track human scent will be a tremendous asset when attempting to locate a lost child, missing person or a fleeing suspect.”
Rigo is expected to complete the final phase of his scent training at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center on March 26, 2018.
“We are very excited and fully support our Officer Vincent’s new K9 partner, Rigo.” Robbinsville High principal Molly C. Avery said. “It is yet another example of how the Robbinsville Police Department and the Robbinsville School District, with support from Mayor Dave Fried and the Township, continue to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our faculty and students. Having Rigo as a member of our school family is yet another way to build bridges and strengthen the bonds between officers and students.”
Mayor Fried, who also serves as the Township Public Safety officer, hailed the addition as yet another step forward in strengthening the department and connecting to the community.
“Quori has made such a positive impact on our town, and I am quite certain Rigo will do the same,” he said. “We live in an age where every threat, particularly those involving students and our schools, needs to be taken seriously. Rigo gives us another tool to strengthen an already outstanding police department. I want to thank Principal Avery and the entire school district for their continued support.”
-RPD-