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New Haven police spokeswoman Sgt. Shayna Kendall wrote the following release:
On August 24, 2019 Officer Joseph Staffieri and K‑9 Magnum participated in The Dream Ride K‑9 Challenge. The K‑9 Challenge “is a premiere competition showcasing the extensive training of Police K‑9 handlers and their working dogs.” (Dreamride.org)
Officer J. Staffieri has participated in The Dream Ride for the 3rd year consecutively. In 2017, Officer Staffieri and Magnum came in 10th place, in 2018 now Sergeant Martin Feliciano took 1st place with K‑9 Ax, and in 2019 which is the first year of the narcotics portion, Staffieri and Magnum took 1st place and 2nd overall.
One of the challenges for K‑9 Magnum was the detection of narcotics. During this challenge, Magnum had to complete exterior and interior searches of four motor vehicles and subsequently indicate to his handler, Officer Staffieri the location of the narcotics. Officer Staffieri had to then provide the location of the narcotics to the judge. Each and every time, K‑9 Magnum wowed onlookers and competitors from around the country by indicating the exact location of the narcotics. Magnum proved that as a New Haven Police K‑9, he was skilled in this field.
Officer Staffieri and K‑9 Magnum undoubtedly took the title of 1st Place in this event which showcased the intelligence and keen sense to drug detection without being blinded by other aromas. K‑9 Magnum was able to adapt to various environments and the rapidly changing situations during the challenge and execute them with focused proficiency. Essentially, K‑9 Magnum would be able to detect narcotics if one were searing a steak right next to him.
In the overall competition, Officer Staffieri and K‑9 took 2nd place. These events included evidence and building searches for a suspect, tactical obedience, an obstacle course and two different suspect apprehension drills. Officer Staffieri had to release Magnum to a suspect armed with a weapon. Once given the command to “release” after the suspect complied, Magnum released his bite and lied down eagerly waiting for Officer Staffieri seemingly undistracted by all the other activity and stimulus around him. These events display not only the consistency of training K‑9 Magnum receives, but the cohesive training Officer Staffieri and Magnum is able to reinforce as partners.
Officer Staffieri “loves it” and participates in these events “because it is good exposure for the dog and to represent our department. This event is for a good cause and exposes the exceptional training of Magnum”.
