Tyngsborough Police K-9 Graduates from 14-Week Academy Program

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Tyngsborough Police K-9 Graduates from Academy

Successful, 14-Week Boston Police Program 

TYNGSBOROUGH — Police Chief Richard Howe is pleased to report that the Tyngsborough Police Department K-9 “Jagr” and his handler, Officer Chris Rider recently completed a 14-week academy program offered by the Boston Police Department.

“The K-9 program provides several vital functions for the Tyngsborough Police Department, including search and rescue, suspect tracking, and the location of contraband,” Chief Howe said. “We are proud to have a K-9 program in place in Tyngsborough, and proud of Jagr and Officer Rider for their successful academy graduation.”

The Academy covers several important topics including tracking, building searches, obedience, agility, apprehension of suspects. protection of the handler, and area searches.

“Jagr did everything expected out of him at the academy, and he has proven to be a great partner so far,” Officer Rider said. “I am looking forward to taking him out into the community, and I am honored to be chosen by the Tyngsborough Police Department for this new role.”

According to Officer Rider, Jagr’s name is credited to the officer’s 10-year-old son, Trent. Trent asked where the new K-9 would come from, and Officer Rider named a few countries that often produce K-9 dogs, including the Czech Republic. Trent then suggested that, if the K-9 was from the Czech Republic, they should name him after Jaromir Jagr, who recently played for the Boston Bruins and is considered one of the best Czech-born hockey players in history.

Jagr and Officer Rider will next be attending narcotics training later this year, which will certify Jagr in drug detection.

Funding for the Tyngsborough Police Department K-9 program comes in the form of a grant from the Stanton Foundation. The grant covers $25,000 in expenses over the first three years and another $14,000 to cover the costs of overtime needed to cover Officer Rider’s shifts while he attended the academy.

“For more than two decades, the Stanton Foundation has supported many worthwhile causes, including police K-9 programs,” Chief Howe said. “I want to thank the Foundation for enabling our department to implement this program, and I want to recognize the Town of Tyngsborough and our Board of Selectmen for supporting the creation of a K-9 program in our community.”

###