Meet Jeter, The New K-9 Narcotics Detection Specialist

Utica, NY (WIBX) - UPD officials are welcoming a new K-9 officer to its ranks. Jeter, the 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, completed 5 weeks of training in drug detection and will be partnering with Officer James Holt for police work as a Narcotics Detection Specialist. Jeter is the second UPD K-9. Rex, the other K-9, is a standard German Shepherd trained in explosives and tracking. The training was paid for by the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, and the K-9 was donated by the owner of "Back to Basic" dog training school.

The dogs, and the intense training they have to undergo is supported with grant dollars, and their food and general upkeep is paid for by UPD. So, what's the difference between a drug dog and a bomb dog? According to officials in UPD Patrol Division; a drug dog is trained to scratch and dig until they find what they're looking for, and a bomb dog is trained to sit and alert when they find their target. Police dogs work for about 6 to 7 years before they retire.