The Dog Days of Lebanon: K-9 Teams Ready for Duty

The Lebanon Police Department has always been one of the more progressive departments in the State of New Hampshire and they continue to lead the way.

As soon as all required training is complete, Lebanon will have three K-9 teams to serve and protect not only Lebanon, but surrounding communities as well. That turn of events will give the Lebanon Police Department one of the highest number of K-9 units per capita of any Police Department in the Granite State.

Meet the dynamic K-9 teams: Officer Jeremy Perkins works with K-9 Blesk, a Belgian Malinois imported from Slovakia who joined the force in February of 2018. Officer Nicholas Alden partners with K-9 Nitro who joined the unit in November 2018. Nitro is a German Shepherd purchased from the Hop River Shepherds in Connecticut. Officer Tyler Hewes teams with K-9 Kymba who joined the unit in January 2017. Kymba is a female German Shepherd purchased from the Vermont Sheriff’s Department.

Officers Jeremy Perkins with Blesk, Nicholas Alden with Nitro, and Tyler Hewes with Kymba

Officer Perkins is the most experienced of the trio with over 20 years of combined law enforcement experience, 14 years with the Lebanon Police Department. Jeremy has combined forces with Blesk after losing his beloved Max who succumbed to cancer in December of 2017. Max had become a true K-9 legend before his passing.

“Max was a very special K-9 and I miss him terribly,” Jeremy stated. We had become so close over the years. I have been around K-9s for a long time having trained them as well, and what folks should know is that dogs are very much like people. They all have different personalities and you have to watch and learn all their mannerisms. Max was incredible with so much energy and drive while Blesk
is a thinking dog and very low key. Both have different personality traits for sure.”

Jeremy also points out a critical factor for the K-9 force at Lebanon when it comes to their overall service.

“We do have three K-9 units and that is more than most Police Departments, but bear in mind, we respond to emergencies throughout the Upper Valley. We aid other law
enforcement agencies when called. A prime example is a rescue operation at the Quechee Gorge.”

Officer Nichols Alden and his dog Nitro are currently in the middle of an extensive 16-week training course. Make no mistake, it is a rigorous training experience for both dog and man.

“I first got interested in watching K-9 teams here and learned that there would be a lot of hard work involved. I knew it would be hard work for both of us. So far it is a wonderful experience because I have gained a new buddy. He goes home with me every night and we are bonding already. Nitro is a passive alert dog who will sit to alert a problem. We are both still learning.”

Officer Tyler Hewes teams with the only female K-9, Kymba, and the two have been connected for three years. The duo has completed all the K-9 training and, like the other units, they have bonded closely.

“Kymba has earned dual certification during her training and can be utilized in many different ways. She never leaves my side so we are becoming very close. One thing I really like as a K-9 team is the public’s reaction to us. Everyone seems to love a dog for sure! That makes it very enjoyable for both of us.”