Portsmouth Police K-9, Officer Graduate From Patrol Dog School

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The Portsmouth police have another trained officer and canine helper joining the department's K-9 unit.

K-9 Officer Bill Werner and "Frankie" recently graduated from the Boston Police K9 Academy’s Patrol Dog School. The school requires a police canine handler to take 560 hours of training as well as national certification in K-9 obedience, evidence recovery, area searches, building searches, tracking, and aggression control, according to Lt. Eric Kinsman of the Portsmouth Police Department.

"Training at this level takes a tremendous amount of effort, dedication and sacrifice by a K9 team," he said. "After earning his K9 handler position in late January, Werner immediately prepared for his new role and upon the recent retirement of K9 Officer Steve Blanding, he took possession of K9 Frankie from Blanding."

Blanding, Kinsman said, was an integral part of the transition, and his efforts were consistent with the dedication and advancement he brought to the department's K-9 program.

Werner and Frankie will join K-9 Officer Aaron Stacy and Axe who both have patrol and narcotic detection certifications. Werner and Frankie will balance out their certification with explosive detection school next year.

The K-9 teams are assigned to the patrol division and provide the city with coverage during both day and night shifts, according to Kinsman.

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