The Manchester Township Police Department is proud to have two K-9 Officers among its ranks. Both German Shepherds, K-9 Officer Storm was welcomed to the department in January 2014, and K-9 Officer Lynk came on-board in August 2015.
K-9 Officer Storm resides with K-9 Officer Marc Micciulla and K-9 Officer Lynk resides with K-9 Officer Steven Wendruff. Both dogs play a crucial role in patrol operations throughout Manchester Township
Storm and Lynk serve as Dual Purpose K-9s. Dual Purpose dogs are trained in the areas of police patrol operations, such as tracking and locating missing persons, suspects and evidence, as well as in narcotics detection. With one of the largest senior citizen populations in the state and many vast expanses of wooded areas, coupled with the ever-growing illicit drug epidemic in Ocean County, these K-9s are welcome additions to both our agency and the community.
Storm and Lynk were purchased using money from Manchester’s Law Enforcement Trust Account, which is comprised of revenue generated from seized and forfeited assets. Furthermore, Storm received his name after Officer Micciulla, a Manchester Police D.A.R.E. officer, solicited name suggestions from his 5th grade students. The D.A.R.E. students were asked to select names and after narrowing them down to two, Storm was selected by popular vote.
It is with great pride the Manchester Township Police announced on June 26, 2015, that Officer Micciulla and Storm graduated from the New Jersey Police K-9 Association Patrol Class #12. In addition to Officer Micciulla and K-9 Storm, 10 canine teams from across the state also graduated. The training course consisted of an intensive 16 week program that began on March 9, 2015, and took place at various locations throughout the state of New Jersey.
Also a proud day for our Department, Officer Wendruff and K-9 Lynk graduated from the New Jersey State Police Scent Class #31 on June 17, 2016. Ptl. Wendruff and K-9 Lynk were one of four Officer/K-9 teams to graduate from the intensive Narcotics Detection training course, which began on March 14.
In addition to the 5th grade students from Manchester Elementary School, the Manchester Township Police would like to thank the following individuals and agencies for their generous help in assisting in the establishment of the K-9 Unit: Brick Township Police for donating a K-9 vehicle, Bradley Beach Police for their donation of a K-9 vehicle cage, Stafford Township Police for their guidance, Sgt. Anthony Turso of Tinton Falls Police for his assistance with training, Lead K-9 Trainer Matthew Nemes, K-9 Trainer Ronald Buchanan and Whiting Veterinary Services for donating examinations and medications.