The Hillside Police Department has appointed two new members, purebred German Shepherds that will be used to protect township residents and enhance the department's crime-fighting capabilities. The police K9's- "Comet" and "Champion," have been assigned to Officers Ron Bartell and Michael Flowers, who volunteered to take care of their new partners 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Both dogs and their handlers will soon begin a rigorous, 16-week training program where they will learn how to track criminal suspects and search for lost or missing persons. After their initial training, Comet will receive specialized training to search for explosives, firearms and ammunition while Champion receives intensive training in narcotics detection.

The Hillside Police Department has not had K-9's since the mid-1970's. Today, there are many Police and Sheriff's Departments in New Jersey that successfully deploy K-9 teams to protect their communities. Police K-9's are of significant value in deterring criminal activity and subduing violent offenders. They are considered a "force multiplier" whose presence can influence combative or uncooperative criminal suspects to comply with directions from police officers, reducing the need for police to use physical force.

Both dogs, 14-month-old Comet and 16-month-old Champion, were purchased with federal forfeiture funds, which will also be used to buy equipment for the K9 Unit. As a result, there will be no cost to the township's taxpayers. The Hillside Police Department receives the forfeiture funds through the I.R.S., where a detective has been temporarily assigned to assist with investigations of "white-collar" crime. The Police Department receives portions or "shares" of cash seized during the investigations. The funds can be used for law enforcement purposes only.

Although the forfeiture funds may be used for the purchase of some additional K9 equipment, the Police Department will accept cash donations to purchase dog food and bullet-proof vests for Comet and Champion. For additional information, please contact Police Chief Robert Quinlan at 973-926-5800 or via e-mail at rquinlan@hillsidepolice.org.