FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Police K-9 teams across Warren County now have a local place to train following the opening of the county’s new Law Enforcement K-9 Training Facility at the Warren County Public Safety building.
The Warren County Board of County Commissioners held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new facility, which was developed by the Warren County Police Chiefs Association after the commissioners approved the project last year.
“This is ideal,” said Washington Township Police Chief Christopher M. Jones, noting that county police departments had previously traveled as far as Union County for K-9 training.
The new site includes a fenced training area with obstacles for agility and obedience work. The property also provides access to the nearby Warren County Fire Academy buildings, including a multi-room burn tower, and surrounding wooded areas for search and rescue exercises.
Currently, four police departments in Warren County have six K-9 officers trained for a range of law enforcement duties, including detecting drugs, guns, and explosives, tracking suspects, and locating missing persons. During the ribbon-cutting, Washington Township’s K-9s “Goose” and “Lupe” demonstrated their skills for attendees.
“I was very impressed by the abilities of these incredible animals and the hard work and dedication of their handlers,” said Warren County Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski. “K-9 units are a vital part of police operations across Warren County and this facility will be a valuable resource officers can use to enhance their effectiveness in the field.”
Commissioner Lori Ciesla said the new facility provides a more convenient option for local law enforcement teams. “By opening this center we are able to provide our K-9s and their trainers with a place to go close to home, as opposed to driving across the state to train,” she said.
Ciesla added that police dogs are “trained to find people, drugs and explosives in a manner humans cannot. They are very motivated to get their job done, and then play a good round of fetch after! Watching them work at the ribbon cutting was a pleasure and I hope they all enjoy their new training center.”
Commissioner James R. Kern III expressed appreciation for the partnership that made the project possible. “I’m grateful for the collaboration with Washington Township that will allow Warren County to host all our K-9 officers from across the county,” Kern said. “Providing our K-9 units with a dedicated, private training area will help reduce stress and travel time for both officers and their K-9 partners. I look forward to continued cooperation and teamwork within our law enforcement community.”
