P.S. 102 kids enjoy visit from NYPD K-9 Unit

June 23, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Cops show how the NYPD’s K-9 Unit dogs perform their duties. Photo courtesy office of Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis

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It’s not every day a kid gets to see a dog in school. But the dogs that third graders at Bay Ridge’s P.S. 102 got to see on Monday weren’t just any pooches.

Members of the NYPD’s elite K-9 Unit visited the school at 211 72nd St. Monday morning with their specially trained police dogs to talk to a group of students about their work.

The visit was arranged by Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island), who said she thought it would be a unique educational opportunity for the kids.

Det. Scott Matyaschuk, P.O. Neal Campbell and P.O. Sean Stone, along with dogs Diesel, Murdock and Tauriel spent time with the students, explaining the role of the K-9 Unit and offering demonstrations of how the highly-trained dogs help police in their duties.

The NYPD has four K-9 units: transit, bomb squad, narcotics, and emergency service, according to a report that recently aired on Eyewitness News.

While the dogs technically belong to New York City, the officers they are assigned to work with are allowed to house them in their homes. And when the dogs are retired the officers are permitted to adopt them, Eyewitness News reported.

German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Belgian Malinois are the only three breeds the NYPD selects to train as K-9 officers.

The P.S. 102 third graders, who were eager to see the dogs in action, also learned how the four-legged NYPD members are trained.

The visit had another important educational component, according to P.S. 102 Principal Cornelia Sichenze.

“It’s very positive, not only that the students are learning about the care and help that the K-9 unit provides but it also builds trust between the children and the New York City Police Department,” Sichenze said.

Malliotakis said she was glad she arranged the visit.

“The NYPD K9 Unit is fascinating. The bond and level of trust between the officer and the dog is remarkable, and their value in investigations and crime prevention is undoubted,” she said. “I hope this demonstration gave the children an understanding of and appreciation for our police officers and their work.”