DANVERS— The Essex County Sheriff’s Department will host the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 4 Patrol Dog I (PDI) Certification Trials on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22 , at Danvers High School.
K9 teams from departments across the region will gather to test their skills in obedience, agility, evidence recovery, suspect search, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. These certification trials are a key component in ensuring that police K9 teams are trained and prepared for real-world law enforcement scenarios.
“This certification ensures that our K-9 teams meet the highest national standards and are ready to respond with professionalism and control,” said Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. “We’re proud to host this event and showcase the incredible work these teams do to keep our communities safe.”
The USPCA certification is recognized across the country and is often used to support the legal credibility of K-9 teams in court proceedings. The trials are open to the public and offer a unique opportunity to see police dogs and their handlers in action.
Dates: Saturday, June 21 & Sunday, June 22
Time: Sheriff Kevin Coppinger will open the trials in a short ceremony at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 22. Competition is expected to run until approximately 2 p.m. Sunday’s competition will begin at 9 a.m. with awards to be distributed at the end of the competition at approximately noon. Times will vary due to the length of each trial.
Location: Danvers High School, 60 Cabot Road, Danvers, MA
Members of the media are invited to attend and capture photos and video of the trials, which will include dynamic police dog demonstrations and interactions with K9 handlers from across the region.
For more information or to coordinate media coverage, please contact Gretchen Grosky at (617) 285-6390.
