New Explosive Detection K9 Joins the Erie County Sheriff’s Office

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Deputy Okal and Spike in Training

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard announces that Deputy Michael Okal and his partner “Spike” have graduated from the New York State Police Advanced Explosive Detection and Patrol school.

This twelve-week school located in Cooperstown, New York, trains the handler and canine in techniques to locate multiple types of explosive materials.  The school puts the handler and his partner in numerous scenarios and instructs the team to properly and safely detect explosive materials.

Deputy Okal and Spike will immediately begin patrolling districts throughout Erie County and will be assigned to the Erie County Bomb Squad.  With their addition to the bomb squad, the number of K9 units increases to three.