Essex County Cops Disband K-9 Unit To Save Taxpayers Money

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — As of New Year’s Day, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office will no longer have a K-9 unit.

On Friday, the sheriff’s office announced it will be disbanding its K-9 dog unit as part of a cost-cutting move, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

“The officers in this unit will be reassigned to other divisions throughout our department and the K-9 dogs will be well-cared for,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.

“Throughout its tenure, our K-9 unit has been a vital part of our law enforcement initiatives, assisting our narcotics and bomb units as well as our local, state and federal law enforcement partners,” Fontoura said. “Unfortunately, due to increased demands on our budget and in an effort to save our taxpayers money, it has become necessary to find a more cost-effective way to deliver these important services.”

According to Fontoura, the Essex County Sheriff's Office will be entering a new shared services agreement with other law enforcement agencies that will provide the same level of K-9 service and response to the county.

“While it’s unfortunate that the K-9 unit will no longer be part of our department, the officers who have trained and worked with their dogs will have an opportunity to adopt them,” Fontoura said.

“For those dogs who are not adopted by their handlers, the county will make arrangements for our canines to be well cared for,” he added.

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