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14 Canine Officers Graduate from MTA Police Training 

MTA
Updated Apr 29, 2025 3:15 p.m.
K9 Graduation

See Photos of Today’s Graduation Ceremony

 

See Video of Today’s Graduation Ceremony

 

Fourteen canine police officers in the Class of 2025 graduated from MTA Police explosives detection and anti-terrorism training this morning in a ceremony at Grand Central Terminal.

Twelve of the dogs will now join their human partners in active duty inspecting unattended or suspicious packages and patrolling the trains, stations, tracks and facilities of the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Staten Island Railway, a 5,000-square-mile territory across 14 counties in two states.

Seven of the canines who graduated today will join sister agencies who are among the regional partners of the MTA in law enforcement: the NYPD, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments of Brewster and Warwick, NY.

The MTA Police Department has one of the largest canine explosives detection forces in the country, with approximately 50 dogs in service at any time.

Dogs are approximately a year old when they go through the rigorous 12-week training course. They live with their human partners and can serve in active duty for up to eight or nine years before retiring.

The canines are named after military service members, police officers, and firefighters who have given their lives in service to their country.

Joining the MTA Police today are:

PO Joseph Aliberti - K9 Victor – NYPD PO Victor Crespo

PO Krystal Diaz - K9 Mora - NYPD Detective Wilbert Mora

PO Giselle Gil - K9 Dougie - MTA PD PO Douglas Krut

PO Timothy Greig - K9 Reilly - United States Army Sergeant George Reilly

PO Joel Hernandez - K9 Fam - NYPD Detective Miosotis P. Familia

PO Alexander Holt - K9 Mickey - FDNY Firefighter Michael H. Gebert

PO Caitlin Martin - K9 Emilia - NYPD PO Emilia Rennhack

PO Joshua Mercado - K9 Pounce - MTA PD Sgt. Dwayne Pouncey

PO Anthony Papeo - K9 Leo - Port Authority PO James Kennelly

PO Matthew Plumacher - K9 Talley - USMC Corporal Aaron Talley

PO Anthony Romano - K9 KC - Dutchess County Deputy Kristopher Cuddeback

PO Charles Spahr - K9 Mike - MTA PD PO Michael Colini -

PO Salvatore Trovato - K9 Varo - Port Authority PO Anthony Varvaro

PO Anthony Nappi (City of Peekskill PD) - K9 Danny - East Fishkill PD Sgt. Daniel P. DiDato

The canines are now official officers of the MTA PD and have small police shields affixed to their collars.