March 28, 2024
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Canines at center of state police inspection Houlton state police barracks showcase three crime-fighting dogs, old and new

HOULTON – Blue lights were not flashing in the distance. Freshly waxed police cruisers were not being given last-minute touch ups by their operators.

Turning into the driveway of Troop F of the Maine State Police barracks on Monday afternoon, there were few signs that their annual inspection was about to begin.

And then, you heard the dogs.

Three police dogs are serving the unit and each of the crime-fighting canines got in a few barks as their handlers were inspected by Col. Craig Poulin. Poulin, who heads the state police agency, was in town to scrutinize the only MSP contingent in Aroostook County.

The unit passed with flying colors, and Poulin said on Monday afternoon that he had expected nothing less.

“They look very good,” he said, nodding toward the nearly two-dozen troopers and detectives. “But they always inspect well. We’ve got great people working for us and it shows.”

Besides allowing Poulin a rare opportunity to see the entire County troop, he credited the event with giving him “the opportunity to talk with the troopers about issues they are facing and challenges that are coming up.”

“It also gives them a chance to ask questions of us,” he added.

The officers stood unflinching under a glistening sun as the colonel and his command staff greeted each trooper and perused their uniforms and duty gear.

This year’s event was different in that the troopers’ cars were not included in the inspection, as the agency is working to conserve fuel.

“You can’t ask them to conserve fuel and then have everyone drive here,” Poulin explained.

Monday’s examination was brand new for one canine and an old trick for the other two.

Trooper Shawn Whalen missed last year’s inspection because he was away training with Bailey, his bomb-sniffing dog. After passing muster, the yellow Lab sprawled out in the sun at Whalen’s feet.

“He’s a little skittish,” Whalen said, patting the dog gently. “Its his first time taking part in this.”

Hanno, the 2-year-old German shepherd handled by Trooper Jeff Clark, was making his second appearance at the annual exercise. Having grown substantially since last year, he kept his eyes trained on the inspection team as they walked along the rows of men and women.

Neither dog’s bark, however, was as powerful as that of Major, Trooper Carman Lilley’s 10-year-old German shepherd tracking dog.

“I believe that he is the oldest dog that we have still in service,” he said, nodding toward the massive, mammoth-jawed canine standing dutifully beside him. “We were thinking of retiring him, but now it looks like we’ll go through the end of the year.”

Far larger than his two canine counterparts, Major has taken part in countless search and sniff efforts over the years. Lilley credited the dog as an asset to his police work.

“He’s a great tracking dog, and I’ll never know [how] much danger he’s kept me out of, just because of his presence either at my side or in the car,” he acknowledged. “There are very few criminals who want to see Major coming at them.”

Trooper Chad Fuller, who stood resolutely next to Lilley and Major during the inspection, denied being intimated by the powerful pooch’s presence.

“It is not intimidating at all,” he said with a grin. “Major’s just like a kitty cat.”


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