"A dogged investigator: WPD's new K-9 hits the streets"

"A dogged investigator: WPD's new K-9 hits the streets"
Written by Bill Donovan
The Wakefield Observer
Thurs Mar. 20 2008

Wakefield - Residents in the past few months may have noticed a certain dog cruising along Main Street in a patrol car.

This is Leo, a year-and-a-half-old black German shepherd who is part of Wakefield PD’s new K-9 Program. The dog is currently being trained in tracking and to locate missing persons and assist with narcotics cases.

“It’s a tool that’s going to benefit the town and safety of the department,” said Sgt. Steven Skory. “Leo has been out patrolling with Officer Brett Rossicone since January.”

The $15,000 K-9 program was established last summer by Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith and is funded by private donations from such local organizations as the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary and Lions Clubs. These contributions provide for Leo’s training, equipment, and maintenance. Other local businesses such as Healthy Dog Pet Company and Bath and Bubbles offer free food and baths.

“There’s been a great local outpouring of support,” explained Sgt. Steven Story. “People have donated money on their own for this new program.”

In late Sept. 2007, Officer Rossicone put in for a position as Leo’s principal dog handler. He needed to set up a kennel for the canine at his Wakefield home. The officer is exclusively responsible for feeding and walking Leo every 24 hours.

Rossicone recalls the first days with Leo. “He was completely untrained when we picked him up,” said Rossicone. “Having been shipped overseas, Leo only understands Czech. So I’ve had to learn the language and over time we’ve established trust.”

The two underwent an extensive 16-week hands-on training period at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Academy.

“Time is spent learning in baby steps,” added Skory. “Tracking begins in short little steps and this includes familiarization of hand learning. These exercises are designed to establish trust, obedience, and discipline.”

Another aspect of Leo’s training involved basic patrol, which included evidence recovery, searching, and criminal apprehension. Some field drills involved Leo and Rossicone making their way through abandoned warehouses in Taunton as well as the woods of Marshfield.

Since graduating from the Canine Academy this January, Leo now patrols nightly with Rossicone from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. In April they will attend Drug Detection School at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for an additional eight weeks. During down time on night watches, Rossicone will have Leo practice additional exercises. “On a slow night, I’ll line a track down to practice obedience when it’s needed.”

Rossicone’s vehicle is specially outfitted with technology designed for Leo. Inside the cruiser a non-slip stainless-steel cage keeps the black shepherd in place during a possible high-speed chase. A thick rubber mat and spill proof water bowl are also present within Leo’s high-tech ride.

“These are expensive new features that need to be maintained,” Skory said. “There’s also a climate control system made for days where Leo may have to wait for Brett to get back in the vehicle. On a warm summer day two fans automatically turn on to keep the dog cool. At extreme temperatures an alarm goes off while the windows are drawn open. This is known as ‘The Hot Dog System.’”

Rossicone and Skory feel Leo will benefit the town of Wakefield. The department can now find missing persons faster than in the past.

“We’ve had to call outside agencies when looking for people’s loved ones who have Alzheimer’s,” explained Skory. “In some situations, we’ve called in police dogs 45 minutes from Wakefield. By the time these dogs get in, scents have dissipated which makes it difficult.” Leo’s keen sense of smell will also come into play with building break-ins.

“Whether it’s a bad guy, good guy, little kid, anyone, this dog will find them,” Rossicone said.