State Police to Dedicate New K-9 Training Field
To Be Named for Late Sergeant Who Was Top Dog Handler
The training field, built with donated materials, includes a fenced-in obstacle course, an observation pavilion, and access for cruisers in order to allow K-9 trainers and their dogs to perform various scenarios and agility drills. The course was built by K-9 unit troopers during off-duty hours.
The dedication event will include demonstrations by State Police K-9 handlers and their canine partners.
Sergeant Barrett died March 23, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. A highly decorated 26-year veteran of the State Police, Sergeant Barrett was long recognized as one of the top K-9 handlers in the Northeast. She held master trainer certifications from both the International Work Dog Association and the North American Police Work Dog Association.
Sergeant Barrett's assignments included responses to critical incidents in 22 states, including the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. She also assisted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in locating victims of a serial killer. In all, she spent 21 years in the Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit and trained many of the unit's current members.
The Massachusetts State Police cordially invite all media outlets to attend the dedication. The training field is behind the garage at the Middleboro barracks, located at 326 West Grove St., Middleboro.