Man's Best Friend Seeks Role on Washington Twp. Police Department

In the next few months, you may see a new member of the on the streets of Long Valley.

He’s got a long face, big teeth, and looks like he hasn’t shaven in days. But he’s got an uncanny sense of smell. He is Kobe, a Belgium Malinois dog, a graduate of a special police academy in France.

Not only is he considered man’s best friend, but based on numerous studies, the canine is extremely effective in helping law enforcement officials in a number of ways, said Washington Township Police Officer Peter Cecere, who purchased the dog and trained him with his own funds and on his own time.

Cecere and Kobe will conduct a demonstration for the Washington Township Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at the committee's public work session. The police department is seeking the committee’s approval for Kobe to be included on the township’s insurance policy which will cost approximately $600 per year.

All other expenses, including veterinary care and food, will be donated by a local resident who wishes not to be included in press coverage, according to Cecere.

There is great value in having a canine partner, according to Cecere. Cesere said the primary reason for the township having its own canine unit is response time, and often it will take several hours to secure a canine unit from the county. From 2008 through 2010, the services of a canine unit were utilized 90 times by Morris County and other neighboring towns, said Cesere.

“If we’re looking for a person with Alzheimer’s or a lost child, time is of the essence. The dog is trained to track human scent, but if the area is already full of people conducting a search, the dog cannot be effective,” said Cesere.

He believes the township will benefit greatly from Kobe’s services because he will be able to , and he will also be a great presence at community events.

The presence of a canine unit also deters violence, according to Cecere.

“Studies have shown that when canine units are present, 95 percent of the time, police officers do not have to use physical force,” said Cecere.

According to Washington Township Police Chief Michael Bailey, in a study that was conducted with officers and their canine partners, 27 out of 29 were able to locate alleged 'bad guys' who were hiding in a building within only 15 minutes, while officers who were working alone only located 17 out of 29 in the same 15 minute span of time.

Kobe, who has the markings of shepherd, but a more athletic build, was specifically chosen for his ability to perform investigative work.

Cesere said the trainer at the academy in France described Kobe as “enthusiastic, a quick learner and he enjoys what he does.” He was trained to respond to all of the basic commands in French.

Cesere said Kobe has been trained to patrol weapons and narcotics and respond in a passive manner, which means that if he picks up the scent of drugs in a vehicle, for instance, he will just sit down and stare at that area.

He’s been trained to detect heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy.  

Other than insurance coverage, accommodations for Kobe are covered, said Cesere.

Bergen County has offered to donate an extra cage that will be utilized in the police vehicle and the Policeman’s Benevolent Association (PBA) will pay for the cost of tinted glass that is required with a canine unit.