BORDENTOWN: Man’s best friend joins police force

By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY—The city police is set to receive assistance from a new four-legged member, fresh out of school and ready to sniff out evidence that the two-legged members of the force are unable to detect.
    The city police welcomed its newest K-9 member Nov. 12, a 14-month-old Belgian Malinois named Terri.
    The department’s K-9 Unit was established in 2004, and this is the second dog it has had on the force, said Bordentown City Police Chief Matthew Simmons.
    “I think that she is going to be a huge asset to the department,” he said Monday.
    Terri and her handler, Sgt. Matthew Simmons IV, went through an extensive six-month training course that consisted of narcotic detection, building searches, tracking, and criminal apprehension.
    She was donated by and trained by Perry Parks, who owns and operates Absolute Control Dog Training in Southampton, and Lisa Mattson, who was Terri’s head trainer and who prepared Terri for her K-9 status.
    Terri will stay with her handler around the clock, and when Sgt. Simmons is on duty, Terri will also be at the station.
    When Sgt. Simmons isn’t on duty, the dog will be at Sgt. Simmons’ house.
    “I am confident that Terri will bring in revenue of money seized from drug dealers as well as aggressively protect and serve our residents and community businesses in town,” said Chief Simmons.
    The K-9 unit started back in 2004, when the department used a golden retriever, Sandy, who was active for three years before she retired.
    Chief Simmons said Sandy had participated in over 60 narcotic arrests and helped seize nearly $2,000 during her service with the department.
    Unfortunately, Sgt. Simmons said, she had developed Lyme disease and had to be taken out of service. She now lives as a pet with a member of the police force.
    All money that is captured from drug busts is put into a special account for the Police Department. The department then can use the money for various types of training, equipment purchases and upgrading equipment.
    Although Terri has been on the clock for a few shifts, Chief Simmons said, she has not yet been taken on any searches where her expertise is necessary.
    “When she’s at the station, she’ll likes to go around to everyone and say hello, she’s still got that puppy nature about her,” he added.
    He said that Absolute Control’s donation was appreciated by the department, since a dog with Terri’s certification would have cost approximately $10,000.
    The dog will have to be recertified every few months, to keep her job skills sharp.
    Chief Simmons added that Terri may also assist other local police departments with special investigations.