After former canine partner Rocko retired from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff ’s Department in January, Cpl. Ian Alexander and 2- year-old Brix, a German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, celebrated completion of a 12-week patrol training program June 8 at a graduation ceremony held at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

Already a certified drug dog, Brix and handler Alexander began their patrol-training in March and Brix is now patrol-certified and ready to conduct tracks, pursue suspects or other patrol duties that may be required of him.

Sagadahoc County’s team was joined by 16 new police canine teams that also completed the 12-week training program and took part in the graduation ceremonies, which included a demonstration of the dogs’ new skills.

Graduating along with Alexander and Brix were: Cpl. Jerome Carr and Zarro, Trooper Chad Fuller and Gleni, Trooper Joshua D’Angelo and Junior, Trooper Shawn Porter and Thunder, Trooper Adam Fillebrown and Aros, and Trooper Matthew Williams and Landy, all from the Maine State Police; officer Kyle Sylvester and Gunner, officer Colt Sleaster and T.J., and officer Joe Salisbury and Tyson from the Maine Department of Corrections; Deputy Dave Rackliffe and Justice and Deputy Christopher Chase and Abby from the Franklin County Sheriff ’s Office; Deputy Al Winslow and Paco from Cumberland County Sheriff ’s Office; Cpl. G.J. Neagle and Drago from Kennebec County Sheriff ’s Office; officer Benjamin Macisso and Ralf from South Portland Police; officer Philip Robinson and Roxy from Westbrook Police; and officer Daniel Pelkey and Hoki from North Berwick Police Department.

Following the graduation ceremony, attendees were invited outside where the new graduates put on an entertaining demonstration showing off what their dogs can do. Sgt. Blaine Bronson, State Police Canine Trainer, told the audience that most dogs start their training at 1 year old and can range up to 3 years old. German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Dutch shepherds are the breeds used pretty exclusively for patrol dogs, though there has been a mixture of shepherd and “Mali” to get the best of both breeds. Labrador or retriever breeds are often used for bomb-sniffing dogs. Bronson said that each year a patrol school is held in the spring.

A drug school in the fall teaches the dogs to detect and find the odors of various drugs. Most of these dogs are cross-trained for patrol and drugs.

Patrol certification requires the dogs to do a halfmile long track that is at least a half-hour old, during which the dog must cover three different surfaces and have two changes of direction, and, Bronson added, “All these dogs are beyond that.”