Four police officers have recently graduated from Basic K9 School, a course offered by the Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy in Nokesville.
The officers are from Prince William County, Arlington County, and Fairfax City Police Departments.
A 16-week-course of training had to be completed in all fields of police canine work in order for the officers to graduate. They completed classes in obedience, evidence recovery, suspect search, tracking, agility, criminal apprehension, and building search. Master Police Officer W.F. VanAntwerp taught the class to the trainees. He has been with the Prince William County Police Department since 1996 and has served with the K9 Unit since 2000.
The Prince William County Police Department hired Officer Shaun Barrett and Officer Katybeth Strobel in 2006. Before being selected to work in the K9 Unit, Strobel served as a detective in the Criminal Operations Division. Her four legged partner is named Abrams. Strobel is the first female K9 officer to work for PWC Police Department.
Prior to working in the K9 Unit, Barrett worked as a patrol officer. His four legged partner is named Kane.
Arlington Police Department hired Sergeant Bryan Morrison in 2002. Eleven years later in 2013, Sergeant Morrison was promoted to the rank of sergeant and assigned to the Patrol Section. He now works as the supervisor of the K9 Unit.
In 2003, the Fairfax City Police Department hired Officer Vann Sayasithsena. He served in the Operations Division as a patrol officer until he was selected for K9 handler in 2007. Sayasithsena’s first canine partner was Niko until his retirement in 2015. Valor now works as Sayasithsena’s canine partner in Niko’s place.
