The Hudson Police Department’s K9 unit consists of 2 highly trained canines. One canine is a dual-purpose patrol canine and the other is a community resource dog. Both valuable resources to the community, but quite different from one another.
In 2020, under Chief DiPersio, the Hudson Police Department implemented the K9 unit. First to serve was the addition of the patrol K9. This canine is specifically trained to assist the members of law enforcement for tracking and detection. The patrol K9 provides officer protection, suspect apprehension, area or building clearance, and security. Our patrol K9 is a dual-purpose dog also highly trained in the detection of narcotics.
K9 Jocko
K9 Jocko is a Belgian Malinois trained as a dual-purpose police canine that is handled by Sergeant Sam Leandres. Jocko has been named in remembrance of HPD Patrolman John “Jocko” Moore who sacrificed his life in the line of duty; EOW June 18, 1955. K9 Jocko and Sgt. Leandres graduated from the Boston Police K9 Academy in 2021 for both patrol functions and narcotic detection. Some of Jocko’s skills include obedience, searching for violent and non-violent suspects, searching for missing people, evidence recovery, and narcotic detection. The revitalization of Hudson’s K9 program was made possible by grant funding through the Stanton Foundation. K9 Jocko primarily serves the Town of Hudson but also serves a vital role in assisting surrounding towns, agencies as well as the CEMLEC SWAT Team.
Sgt. Leandres can be reached at sleandres@townofhudson.org, or 978-562-7122 x. 234
K9 Murf
In 2022 the department welcomed K9 Murf to the K9 unit. Murf is an English Cream Golden retriever purchased from Golden Opportunities for Independence, a GOFI dog.
Murf is a highly trained and tested canine who provides a kinder, gentler way of community policing as well as a friendly find search and rescue. Murf was tested when he was 6 months, 12 months and 18 months, according to standards set forth by the American Kennel Club and Assistance Dog International.
- 6 Months: Puppy STAR-for Dog and Handler
- 1 Year: Canine Good Citizen Certification
- 18 Months: Public Access Test
Murf often spends time with children in all grade levels. Murf has been the guest reader for multiple classes, and he has been to classrooms where students have read books to him, helping build students confidence. Murf also spends time at the schools having 1on1 sessions for students and staff that need comforting. Murf also makes frequent visits to the Senior Center and the Artisan in Hudson where he gets lots of special attention. Murf has also been deployed to other towns and school districts to help comfort and calm those who have experienced a tragedy or are in crisis.
Murf trains weekly for friendly find search and rescue. Each week Murf trains in different environments where he might be used to enhance and build on his tracking. Murf loves to use his nose and search. This provides the department with an additional resource.
Det. Crogan can be reached at ccrogan@townofhudson.org or 978-562-7122 x. 201. Our K9 teams participate in extensive training with other police agencies in Massachusetts. Our K9 teams pride themselves on doing proactive police work, and proactive community engagement. To support our K9 teams, The Hudson Police K9 unit has created the HPD Working Dog Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization to help fund basic needs in order to ensure a successful, long term program.