Commissioner Paré, Colonel Clements Introduce K-9 Thor to the Providence Police Department’s Homeland Security Bureau and K-9 Unit
Providence, RI – Commissioner Steven M. Paré and Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. announce a new addition to the Providence Police Department’s Homeland Security Bureau, K-9 Thor, a 20-month-old Black Labrador Retriever. K-9 Thor has been assigned to work with handler Sergeant Curt Desautels, a 21 year veteran of Providence Police Department and Commanding Officer of the K-9 Unit. K-9 Thor and Sergeant Desautels recently completed the intensive 10 week training course at the Rhode Island K-9 Academy, led by Master Trainer Sergeant Roger Reardon, who served as a K-9 handler and trainer for the Rhode Island State Police for 25 years. Upon completion of the program, K-9 Thor was certified as an Explosive Detection K-9 on March 9, 2018.
Together, K-9 Thor and Sergeant Desautels will provide increased public safety for various events throughout the city, state and also assist surrounding law enforcement agencies throughout New England. Additionally, the entire K-9 Unit serves as an extension of the department’s community policing philosophy and enhances relations and positive interactions between police officers and the community. The unit is comprised of four additional K-9 teams: K-9 Edox and Officer Scott Keenan, K-9 Gero and Officer Louis Salinaro, K-9 Ripp and Officer Eric Chabot, and K-9 Jimbo and Officer Danny Sirignano. K-9’s Thor and Edox are single purpose canines, specifically trained in explosive detection. K-9’s Gero, Ripp and Jimbo are dual purpose canines and have training in various areas, which is beneficial to officers by giving them additional manpower on the streets. All three are trained in patrol techniques such as article and building searches and the tracking of suspects. K-9 Gero is trained in narcotic detection and K-9’s Ripp and Jimbo are trained in explosive detection.
“The Providence Police take great pride in our highly trained K-9’s who are invaluable when it comes to ensuring the safety of our citizens to the best of our ability,” said Colonel Clements. Our previous Explosive Detection K-9’s have worked conducting sweeps at various concerts, parades, air shows, and sporting events as well as at high-profile events including presidential visits, the Boston Marathon, and for a NASA shuttle launch. We welcome K-9 Thor into our great department and thank him and Sergeant Desautels for their dedication and hard work throughout the training process.”
