The Voorhees Twp. Police Department has always been a leader in the
law enforcement community when it comes to a Police Canine Unit. The
Voorhees Twp. Police Canine Unit has been in affect since the mid
1960's and started under Chief Walter White with two patrol dog
teams. The first two dog handlers were Earl Odd Sr. (retired Chief
of Police) and Bob Hanacek Sr. (retired Deputy Chief of Police). A
short time later, Jack Prettyman (current Deputy Chief of Police)
was assigned to the canine unit when an opening became available.
A training Facility was constructed behind Police Headquarters where
the officers and their partners honed their skills for patrol work.
Voorhees Twp. Police even hosted the first East Coast Police Dog
Trial for the United States Canine Association. Here is where the
history of the Voorhees Twp. Police Canine unit started.
The current canine unit, under the direction of Chief Keith F.
Hummel, is larger and more diverse then it has ever been. The unit
consists of three dog teams trained in patrol work; Officer. Ken Sacavitch & K-9 Dax,
Officer Richard Taylor & K-9 Al. One K-9 is cross-trained for
narcotics detection and the other is trained for explosives
detection. Chief Hummel has shown great support for the canine unit
by making training a priority and selecting the very best schools
available.
These groups of officers and their K-9 partners have been
responsible for the seizure of pounds and pounds of illegal
narcotics and the capture of many suspects in the commission of
crimes. They have served police departments in the entire Camden
County area and surrounding counties. They have competed in several
Regional and National Field Trials sponsored by the United States
Police Canine Association (U.S.P.C.A.) and have been awarded top
honors for their achievements.
The Voorhees Twp. Police Department was the proud host of the
U.S.P.C.A. Region #15, Police Dog I Trial in the spring of 1999.
This regional competition attracted close to (50) canine patrol
teams from five (5) different states. This weekend event is just
one example of the hard work and dedication that is commonplace for
the members of the current canine unit.
Since the mid 1960's, Voorhees Twp. Police Department has maintained
their commitment to its canine unit. There has only been five (5)
years out of thirty-five (35) that this department has not had a
canine team available to assist the police officers and the
residents of Voorhees Twp. The canine unit has seen nine (9)
different canine teams in its history and will continue to serve the
officers and residents of Voorhees Twp. with great pride and
tenacity
