NEW BRUNSWICK – Police badges were awarded to two search and rescue bloodhounds, Joker and Aleck.
The badges were accepted on June 24 by their handlers and trainers, Michael and Debbie Campbell of South Plainfield.
The Campbells’ bloodhounds were first offered to Middlesex County when Michael Campbell joined the county’s Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) team under the direction of county Fire Marshal Michael Gallagher, according to a statement prepared by Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.
Joker has been a part of the police department for five years and has taken part in a number of rescue efforts throughout the county. Aleck is the newest member of the team and started very recently, according to the statement.
The badges will be worn on the dogs’ collars.
Another badge was also awarded posthumously to the Campbells’ six-year-old bloodhound, Aggie, who passed away in May.
Bloodhounds have been successful in assisting Middlesex County in searching for missing adults and children, many of whom suffer from a number of disabilities, illnesses or are cognitively impaired, according to the statement.
“We in law enforcement cannot begin to express our gratitude to the Campbells and their bloodhounds for donating countless hours to help the department locate missing adults and children,” Carey said.
Carey also noted that the use of bloodhounds is available 24-7 to police and fire departments throughout the county. Owning bloodhounds also spares the police officers endless hours of tracing, as the hounds have the ability to find missing individuals in a relatively short period of time, he said.