The following is a statement from PBA Local 183
“Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura has announced that on December 31, 2019, he will disband the Essex County K-9 Unit.
The busiest county in New Jersey! Getting rid of Narcotic K-9, Tracking K-9, Search and Rescue K-9, and Weapon/bomb detection K-9!
Essex County is one of the ONLY COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY THAT DOES NOT HAVE ATTACK CANINES! And yet, they still want to disband docile scent only canines!
Please sign this Petition to reverse this decision and continue to keep Essex County residents safe.
UPDATE MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF:
Newark - Effective January 1st, 2020, The Essex County Sheriff's K-9 Unit will be disbanded. The officers in this unit will be reassigned to other divisions throughout our department and the K-9 dogs being well-cared for, Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced today.
"Throughout its tenure, our K-9 Unit has been a vital part of our law enforcement initiatives, assisting our narcotics and bomb units as well as our local, state and federal law enforcement partners," The Sheriff said. "Unfortunately, due to increased demands on our budget and in an effort to save our taxpayers money, it has become necessary to find a more cost-effective way to deliver these important services."
Fontoura added that the Essex County Sheriff's Office will be entering a new shared services agreement with other law enforcement agencies that will provide the same level of K-9 service and response to the people of Essex County.
"While it is unfortunate that the K-9 unit will no longer be part of our department, the officers who have trained and worked with their dogs will have an opportunity to adopt them," Fontoura added. "For those dogs who are not adopted by their handlers, the county will make arrangements for our canines to be well cared for."