Putnam Police welcome K-9 ‘Spike’
PUTNAM — Putnam Police Chief Christopher Ferace introduced the newest addition to the Putnam Police Department, K-9 “Spike”. Spike is a 14-month-old long haired, male German Shepherd, and is handled by Officer Roy Hicks, a 4-year veteran of the Police Department. 
Officer Hicks and K-9 Spike will start their formal training this September at the East Hartford Police Department K-9 Academy. 
The first phase of training will include suspect tracking and apprehension, evidence recovery, and tracking of missing and endangered persons. 
The second phase of training will include scent detection for narcotics and dangerous drugs. 
Upon completion of their 12-week training program Officer Hicks and K-9 Spike will be certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association and be assigned to the Patrol Division.
The addition of Spike was made possible by a $32,000 grant from the Stanton K-9 Foundation in Massachusetts which assisted in the onetime purchase of the K-9, training expenses, associated equipment, and to assist with upfitting of the dedicated cruiser.  
The dedicated police cruiser was donated by the generosity of Craig Gates and the Gates Auto Group. A Dodge Durango Pursuit SUV was provided the department. 
The Gates Auto Group has been a long-time supporter of the Putnam Police K-9 Unit donating a cruiser for our K-9 Team the past 15 years.

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