The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office currently has three K-9 teams; Sgt. Joshua Potvin, and K-9 Major; Deputy Alfred Winslow, and K-9 Jag; and the newest members of the team Deputy Matthew Tufts, and K-9 Rockey. All are currently certified in apprehension, tracking, and narcotics detection.
The K-9 teams conduct low-risk tracking initiatives such as lost individuals, and article searches. They are also certified to detect illicit drugs, and many times are called upon to conduct sweeps of buildings or automobiles where the suspicion of drugs exists. Last year the teams were responsible for 11 arrests, 26 drug seizures, and 3 evidence recoveries from a total of 159 calls for service.
The three teams don’t just respond to calls for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. In 2010 the teams provided assistance to 13 different municipal police departments, 3 other sheriff’s offices, the state police, and 3 federal law enforcement agencies.