New K9 Unit Hits The Streets

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The Vidalia Police Department has a new resource to help suppress crime within the city, as Lieutenant Kelsey Coursey and K9 Crypto have officially completed the Basic Narcotic Handlers Course at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. continued from page

During the intensive four-week program, Coursey and Crypto learned to detect and interdict illegal narcotics, which will help strengthen public safety and operational effectiveness within the community. During the training, the duo worked to perfect their skills through advanced instruction in narcotics detection through tactics like odor recognition, search patterns, and deployments in vehicles, buildings, and open areas.

In addition to narcotics training, Lieutenant Coursey and Crypto also received instruction on tracking suspects, locating missing persons or juveniles, and recovering discarded or hidden items.

The duo are the first officers assigned to the Department’s new Crime Suppression Unit, which is focused on proactively addressing criminal activity and enhancing community safety, as the Department continues to prioritize professional development and specialized training to ensure that it is best serving the community.