Southwick Police Department

Southwick Police

Department

K-9 Unit

Emergency Dial 911

K-9 Off. Thomas Krutka

& "Jax"

The Southwick Police Department's K-9 team is lead by Off. Thomas L. Krutka and his canine partner "Jax". Off. Krutka has been with the Southwick Police Department since June of 2001. He was appointed as a full time police officer in January of 2004.

After the retirement of the department's first K-9 team, Off. Joseph Brewer and his canine partner "Thom", Off. Krutka was appointed as the department's new K-9 handler in May of 2007.

Off. Krutka's partner "Jax", a two year old Belgian Malinois(belgian malinois) Shephard arrived in June of 2007. Jax spent the first two years of his life in Holland before he was brought to the United States.

Both Off. Krutka and Jax completed 12 weeks of training with the New England K-9 Academy in Manchester Ct. Jax was trained as a patrol canine. Throughout the twelve weeks of training, Jax was trained in basic obedience, evidence recovery, narcotics detection, search & rescue, apprehension, and handler protection. Officer Krutka and his partner "Jax" partake in 16 hours of maintenance training per month to keep their skills sharp

Off. Krutka and his partner "Jax" began their tour of duty in September of 2007 and are currently assigned to patrol on the 4 pm to 12 am shift.

A sad note

K-9 "Thom" passed on November 15, 2009.

K-9 "Jax" and I would like to send our condolences to

Off. Joe Brewer and his family. "Thom" was a true hero!