The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office maintains a K-9 program that includes a bomb detection K-9 and a tracking K-9. The program began in 2004 through a cooperative agreement with the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor. The ANG had a desire for a bomb dog on the base as a component of their base security. The Bangor International Airport is the home of the ANG 101 Air Refueling Wing. Complying with base K-9 housing regulations would have been expensive. The Sheriff’s Office had an interest in beginning a program but initial funding was an issue. Together the two entities formed a mutual aid agreement that allowed the K-9 to be assigned to a full time member of the ANG military police who was also a reserve officer for the sheriff’s office. Together the two departments train and utilize the bomb detection dog on and off base. Deputy James Roy is the handler and he and the K-9 have been called throughout the state to assist in bomb detection searches, Presidential security details, school security searches and public events. The agency provides this service to other agencies at no cost. The military has assisted with training costs and utilizes the K-9 and handler for base security. A tracking dog is also assigned to Deputy Roy. Requests for the K-9 are made through Penobscot County Regional Dispatch at 207-945-4636. Below is additional information on the program

BOMB DOG:

- Name: Eric

- 4-year-old male German Shepherd, donated by Liberatore Kennels, Hudson, ME.

- German Shepherd/handler received basic training at the Maine State Police Canine School at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, Maine. The Sheriff’s Office K-9 and the Maine State Police K-9’s have trained together and work in tandem.

- Certified as an Explosive Detection K-9 Team through the (NESPAC) New England State Police Administrators Conference and the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

- Continues to train with the Maine State Police Canine School/Trainers

TRACKING DOG:

- Name: Duke

- 4-year-old male Bloodhound, donated thru the Working Dog Foundation, New Hampshire.

- Bloodhound and handler received basic training at the New Hampshire Police

K-9 Academy.

- Certified in tracking/trailing w/o apprehension through (USPCA) United States

Police Canine Association and the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

- Now trains with Retired Maine Game Warden and certified USPCA/MCJA

Canine Trainer, Debbie Palman. Debbie Palman is now commissioned as a deputy sheriff with the sheriff’s office and has made her K-9 available to the agency for the purpose of article search. This is useful in evidence and missing person cases.

Deborah Palman retired from the Maine Warden Service and has joined the sheriff’s office with the assistance of her K-9. She is a certified trainer and provides training to Deputy Roy’s K-9 while providing use of her own K-9 to public safety agencies through the sheriff’s office.