Aberdeen Police Add K-9 and Bike Patrols

From the Aberdeen Police Department:

After several years without a K-9 program the police department will have a police patrol dog on the job in early July. Maverick is a 2-year-old German shepherd shipped from Europe to Castle K-9 in Pennsylvania where he was purchased by the Aberdeen Police Department (APD).

Maverick has been partnered with Officer First Class Charles Armetta and they have been training with the New Castle County, Delaware Police Department. They are expected to graduate on July 12, 2012 after twenty-four weeks of intense instruction and training. Upon graduation Maverick will be nationally certified in narcotics detection, tracking and patrol tactics through the North American Police Work Dog Association.

Maverick will be an intricate part of overall operations of APD. He is expected to contribute enormously in the detection of contraband and the apprehension of fleeing suspects. Officer Armetta and Maverick can also be seen demonstrating their skills at one of several police department community events held throughout the city.

Photo by Dean Nicewander

Bike Patrols Return to Aberdeen

The Aberdeen Police Department and the Harford County Municipal Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 (FOP) collaborated to purchase four new Smith and Wesson police mountain patrol bicycles. The FOP offered to purchase two bicycles if the police department matched their purchase. The bicycles were introduced in May and the program is now operational.

All members of the bicycle patrol group are trained and certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. They are patrolling on all shifts and can be seen all throughout the city. Officers on bike patrol handle a variety of calls for service and enforce all local and state laws while their high visibility provides for a safer environment.

The purchase of the bicycles and the implementation of a bicycle patrol program by Officer Jason Neidig enhance the department’s ability to provide law enforcement services under a community policing philosophy where there is direct interaction with the community. Bicycle patrols allow officers to personally interact with community members as they patrol neighborhood streets and business areas. Officers on bicycle patrols can cover areas that are not accessible by foot or vehicle patrols and have the mobility to approach suspects effectively and on some occasions unnoticed.

Bicycle patrols are an efficient and effective alternative to traditional police patrol tactics and in tough economic times they are inexpensive to operate. The bike patrols have already proven to be a successful and valuable resource for the police department and the community.