Essex County Sheriff’s Office
NEWS RELEASE
December 6, 2019
Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105
 
Newark – Effective January 1st, 2020, The Essex County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit will be disbanded. The officers in this unit will be reassigned to other divisions throughout our department and the K-9 dogs being well-cared for, Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced today.

    “Throughout its tenure, our K-9 Unit has been a vital part of our law enforcement initiatives, assisting our narcotics and bomb units as well as our local, state and federal law enforcement partners,” The Sheriff said. “Unfortunately, due to increased demands on our budget and in an effort to save our taxpayers money, it has become necessary to find a more cost-effective way to deliver these important services.”

    Fontoura added that the Essex County Sheriff’s Office will be entering a new shared services agreement that will provide the same level of K-9 service and response to the people of Essex County.

    “While it is unfortunate that the K-9 unit will no longer be part of our department, the officers who have trained and worked with their dogs will have an opportunity to adopt them,” Fontoura added. “For those dogs who are not adopted by their handlers, the county will make arrangements for our canines to be well cared for.”