K-9 Maximus to join Dewey police department

A new member of the Dewey Beach Police Department is set to join the force this fall, when K-9 Maximus teams up with handler Cpl. Carl Kurten.

Maximus was selected in Slovakia by Jerry Bradshaw, head trainer and founder of Tarheel Canine Training Academy in Sanford, N.C. Chief Constance Speake said Max was born in June 2022 in Slovakia, where his initial training and testing began.

“A majority of police service dogs are imported or bred from imported bloodlines,” she said.

Max is currently being trained for patrol, narcotics detection, tracking/trailing and apprehension, Speake said. He will be trained to detect cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines.

Patrol certifications will include obedience and agility, patrol scenarios such as tactical area search, tactical building search, felony vehicle stops, and interviews.

After Max finishes his initial training, he and Kurten will attend four weeks of training together at Tarheel Canine Training Academy, and will be certified by The National Tactical Police Dog Association, which will be recertified annually, Speake said.

By text June 19, Speake said Maximus will be paid for with LESO funds, and a new kennel was purchased for the Tahoe he will be in.

Kurten was promoted to corporal at the April town commissioners meeting, when Speake said he would take the lead in reestablishing the department’s K-9 unit as its first handler in years. Kurten has prior experience as a K-9 handler, Speake said.

In March 2022, former Dewey police officials told commissioners that a German shorthaired pointer, K-9 Cash, would join the force as a K-9 after completing training in fall 2022.

By text June 19, Town Manager Bill Zolper said that the Dewey officer that had Cash took a position with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in November 2022 and bought the dog from the town.