Crime Scene

Darrell Burris, commanding officer of the Cold Spring Police Department, and his canine partner, Duncan, recently finished second out of 17 teams in the United States Police Canine Association’s regional trials in Orange County. Burris and Duncan, a black Labrador, placed second in the Region 7 Narcotics Detector Trials at the Orange County Sheriff’s Canine Academy in Montgomery. Duncan, who already has helped in narcotics investigations and arrests, came on the job last year and partners with Burris, a former dispatcher at the state police barracks in Somers. Burris said that he and Duncan are now prepping for the USPCA National Detector Trials this May in Cloquet, Minn. In the trials, judges hide narcotics in rooms and vehicles and the canine teams must find the hidden contraband. Burris, who trained last year with Duncan at the Orange County Sheriff’s Canine Academy, said thanks are due to several people who helped: Sgt. David Campbell and Deputy James Cleary (ret.) of the Orange County Sheriff’s Canine Academy, and Sgt. William Finucan of the MTA Police. Burris said he and Duncan are looking forward to “representing� the Village of Cold Spring at the upcoming nationals.