The Bethel Police K-9 Unit

 

 



2005 - Present
In 2005, K-9 Asco was purchased by the Bethel Police Department after he was imported from the Chez Republic. The purchase was made possible due to a Bethel resident who donated the money for the purchase. Officer Robert Durkin was selected to handle K-9 Asco and the two have been teamed up since 2005. K-9 Asco is a Male German Shepherd who was born in 2003. Asco is certified in both Patrol and Narcotics. The patrol aspect of the certification consists of obedience, tracking, building searching, area searching, evidence recovery, handler protection and suspect apprehension. The narcotics aspect of the certification consists of several different illegal narcotics. The K-9 team recertifies yearly with the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association. Since 2005, Asco has been instrumental in locating several missing children, several suicidal persons and several criminal suspects. Asco has also assisted in many drug arrests and assisted several other area agencies.

1997-2005


Officer Murphy then travelled to the Chez Republic where he selected and purchased K-9 Ilk. K-9 Ilk was a German shepherd that served as a patrol and narcotics dog. K-9 Ilk served the Bethel Police Department faithfully from 1998 until he retired in 2005. K-9 Ilk retired and lived with Officer Murphy until he passed away in 2007

1992-1997


The Bethel Police Department K-9 unit was initially started in 1992. The first K-9 was “K-9 Bor.” who was handled by Officer Thomas Murphy. K-9 Bor was renamed “Doc” after the late Doctor Daniel Spinella, who was instrumental in donating the funds which made it possible to start the K-9 Unit. K-9 Doc was imported from the Chez Republic and served as a patrol and narcotics dog. K-9 Doc served the Bethel Police Department faithfully until 1997. K-9 Doc was stricken with cancer in 1997 and passed away shortly thereafter.