K-9 NIKO'S RETIREMENT

K-9 Niko was acquired by the Keene Police Department in August of 1998, at the age of ten months. Niko was assigned to Brian Costa (KPD) and the two worked together until May 2nd, 2005. During that time span, the two certified as a patrol team twice each year through the Working Dog Foundation/United States Police Canine Association.

Additional certification/titles:

Eastern Police Canine Association Patrol (1999&2000)
PD II (1999,2000,2002)
PD IIX (2003)
PD I (2000&2003)

K-9 Niko Awards:

Richard Kennedy Scent Award-United States Police Canine Association (2000)
Working Dog Foundation Case of the Year (2000)
United States Police Canine Association Cases of the Quarter (1999,2000,2004)
Keene Police Officer's Association's Public Service Award
Keene Police Officer's Association's Teamwork Award

Street success:

K-9 Niko had 63 street locations. These included 52 arrests (11 Felonies), 3 Found lost people (children), and 8 evidence recoveries. Additionally, Niko participated in; numerous demonstrations/talks each year for the area schools and civic organizations. Niko also remained an ever-present deterrent for disturbances throughout the City, most notably in and around the Keene State College campus.

My deepest admiration and respect forever belong to this dog if I could make a single statement that best summarized his street career, it would be: the dog simply performed well beyond what many (including, at times, myself) believed to be his limitations. I learned more from you, than you did from me thank you my friend.

Respectfully submitted,

Brian C. Costa
Keene Police Department