Ptl. Peter Chuberko and K9 Cezar
Ptl. Donald Sypolt and K9 Neeko
Ptl. Justin Alenbaugh

The Ross Township Police Department has had a full time, continuously operating Canine Unit since 1995. It did not take long for the department to realize the wide-ranging benefits of the police/working-dog team.

Current Teams

Our current K9’s, Cezar, Neeko, and Jimy are all German Shepherd Dogs and were imported from Europe. K9 Cezar is assigned to Patrol Officer Peter Chuberko. K9 Neeko is assigned to Patrol Officer Donald Sypolt, and K9 Jimy is assigned to Patrol Officer Justin Allenbaugh.

Training

All of the K9 Units went through 10 weeks of basic training prior to being deployed to one of the three patrol shifts. They continue to train and do so for four hours every week to maintain their high levels of proficiency. Ross Police Department is one of a few departments in the area to offer its community 24 hour K9 coverage with a Police K9 Unit assigned to each shift.

Uses

The K9 Unit helps the Ross Police Department perform their duties safer and faster than we would be able to do without the dog teams. The canines save the department hundreds of man-hours every year. The canines freely and willingly go into areas officers are not able to. The Ross Police Department relies on the canines to use their special abilities to help locate suspects, evidence, narcotics or missing people quickly.

Responsibilities

While the K-9 Unit’s primary responsibilities are the safe apprehension of serious criminal offenders, the timely discovery of evidence, the protection of the public and officers, and the search for missing persons, they also serve as a link between the Ross Police Department and the community.

Other Duties

The use of the K9 Units in demonstrations, exhibitions, and special events opens lines of communication and understanding. The presence of the K9 stimulates conversation and serves as a link between the officer and the community. 

Given the public perception and tangible link established by the K9, between the department and the community, Ross’s K9 Officers often participate in demonstrations, special events, and other exhibitions by the public. During these events, the K9 Officers use their dogs to educate the community on how K9’s are utilized by the police department and aid in open dialogue regarding K9 operations and community expectations.

Handlers

Our K9 Handlers share a strong bond with their canine partners. The handlers take their canine home at the end of their shifts. The canines are part of their families. Each handler is issued a canine truck for emergency call outs and transportation of the canine.

More Information

Should you like any additional information regarding the K9 Unit or would like to schedule a demonstration for your civic group, please contact the Ross Township Police Department at 412-931-9070.