BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher D. Delmonte and the Bridgewater Police Department are pleased to welcome K-9 McKee to the department.
McKee is a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, trained and certified in both patrol and narcotics detection. He has been working in the community with K-9 Sgt. Steven Kingsley since August 2022.
K-9 McKee came to Bridgewater from the Malone Police Department in New York. When his handler left the department, the Malone Police Department worked with the Stanton Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports police canines, to rehome McKee.
Following the death of Sgt. Kingsley’s previous K-9 partner, Papi, in June 2022, the Bridgewater Police Department contacted Stanton Foundation K9 Program Manager Rich McLaughlin and Malone Police Chief Chris Premo about accepting McKee. After conversations about his training, background, and work record, McKee was brought to Bridgewater by his caretaker, Malone Police Officer Mark Smith, on July 6, 2022.
K-9 McKee and Sgt. Kingsley went through a revised training academy and evaluation period with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and trainer Sgt. Mark O’Reilly. Sgt. Kingsley and K-9 McKee officially began patrol work on Aug. 6, 2022, and currently work the midnight to 8 a.m. shift.
In his first six months in Bridgewater, K-9 McKee has successfully tracked a vehicle break-in suspect for nearly a mile, located drugs during a search stemming from a report of breaking and entering at a home under construction, located suspected fentanyl while assisting the regional W.E.B. Major Crimes and Drug Task Force with executing a search warrant, and more.
“We are grateful to the Stanton Foundation, Malone Police Chief Chris Premo and Officer Mark Smith for working with us to bring McKee to Bridgewater,” Chief Delmonte said. “Our K-9 teams are an asset to our department and the region as a whole, and McKee has proven to be a valuable addition in his first six months on the job.”
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