Crime & Safety
Norwalk Police Introduce New K-9 Officers, Dogs
Both dogs were born in the Czech Republic, but are trained to respond to commands spoken in German.
Norwalk Police introduced its two newest K-9 officers and their dogs at a Wednesday morning news conference.
Officer Garrett Kruger appeared with Kimbo, a black German Shepherd, and Officer Richard Montanez with Kai, a sable German Shepherd.
Both dogs are male, 16 months old and were bred in the Czech Republic. They are trained to respond to commands spoken in German.
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Kruger, who's been a member of the department since September 2005, voluntarily took a reduction in rank from detective to patrol officer to become a K-9 officer. Montanez has been with the department since February 2009.
The dogs began patrol work on Tuesday following 400 hours of training. K-9 officers from Westport and Fairfield trained with Kruger and Montanez.
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Both dogs have been certified by the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association and the North American Police Work Dog Association.
Norwalk's K-9 unit is commanded by Sgt. Frank Reda, who was one of the three trainers who instructed Kruger and Montanez and their partners in K-9 school.
The department now has five K-9 teams, which Police Chief Harry W. Rilling said is the largest number it has ever deployed.
The Connecticut Police Work Dog Association's website says dogs are trained and tested for obedience control, agility, tracking area and building seaches, evidence search, narcotics detection, aggression control and performance after hearing a gunshot.
All of Norwalk's police dogs live at home with their partners. Deputy Chief Thomas Kulhawik said a police dog can remain in service for up to eight years, and stays with its partner after retirement.
