The Handlers
The K-9s
Officer Joshua Faust
#639
In service since: 2003
College: Kutztown University with a Major in Criminal JusBce Graduated in December 2000
Rank: K-9 Handler/trainer for the unit. I have been the trainer since 2013 after completing a trainer course at Shallow Creek Kennels.
Why did you want to be a K-9 Handler: My dad’s cousin was a handler for a department near my hometown and I was always fascinated by how the dogs work.
Favorite part of your Job: Seeing not only Trooper succeed but the entire unit succeed on the street.
What do you do for fun: Running and exercise, as well as time with my family.
Fact: In 2008 I was appointed to the position of K9 with my first partner Rocky. Rocky retired in 2013 and still lives at home with me. In 2013 I was sent to Shallow Creek Kennels to become the K9 Unit’s trainer and I was also paired up with my current partner Trooper.
K-9 Trooper
In service since: December 2013
Date of Birth: January 21, 2012
Origin: Netherlands
Breed: German Shepherd
Specialty: Explosives Detection and Patrol
What does he do in his off time: Trooper likes to hang out/ play with his retired K9 buddy Rocky and he loves his family time.
Officer Mark Hackney
#651
In service since: January 2005
Rank: K-9 Officer
College: Classes at Penn State
Military: United States Marines and the United States Army
Why did you want to be a K-9 Handler: I didn’t have animals growing up but dogs always captured my interest. I enjoyed the thought of having a partner who just listened and didn’t talk back. I was always interested in seeing how working dogs were trained to do the things they do.
Favorite part of your job: Helping young people in the city realize there is so much more out there. I have a strong belief that sometimes these kids need to hear success stories of professions other than athletes. Stories that they can create themselves to become successful.
What do you do for fun: I’m a homebody so I just enjoy being around my family.
K-9 Nero
In service since: July 2016
Date of Birth: February 23, 2015
Origin: Hungary
Breed: German Shepherd
Specialty: Narcotics Detection and Patrol
Background on K-9: Nero is used for narcotics, tracking, and patrol operations
Special talent: He jumps really high.
What does he do in his off time: Pretends he’s a regular dog! Loves to play fetch. And, don’t leave him by himself because he gets into everything
Officer John Hutchinson
#634
In service since: 2003
College: Wilkes University with a Bachelor in Business Administration
Rank: K-9 Officer
Why did you want to be a K-9 Handler: I was only interested in working with K9’s in police work, and I had no interest in any other part of police work.
K-9 Cody
In service since: July 2014
Date of Birth: September 18, 2013
Origin: Czech Republic
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Specialty: Narcotics Detection and Patrol
Background on K-9: K-9 Cody is a dual-trained K-9 meaning he is trained in Patrol and narcotics.
What does he do in his off time: Cody loves to hang out in his crate chewing on a bone. His favorite activity is chasing a ball
Officer Hector Santiago
#636
In service since: January 2003
Rank: K-9 Officer
K-9 Hemi
In service since: February 2016
Date of Birth: March 20, 2014
Origin: Hungary
Breed: Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd
Specialty: Narcotics Detection and Patrol
Background on K-9: Hemi is a dual-purpose Narcotics dog. He loves to go to work and meet new people as well as find them when they are on the run. Hemi’s favorite part of the job is locating drugs and people hiding in buildings and wooded areas.
What does he do in his off time: He loves to play with his human brothers and furry brother Zeke. He also loves to get his belly rubbed.
Sergeant Alex Sholedice
#694
In service since: July 2011
Rank: Sergeant
College: Associates in Criminal Justice
Why did you want to be a K-9 Handler: The desire to train and work a Police K-9 and be able to provide the citizens and other officers the advantages of having a highly trained K-9 in the department. I was intrigued by the intelligence of the K-9’s and found it amazing to see how quickly they learn and progress through their training.
Favorite part of your Job: Having Nico with me 24/7.
What do you do for fun: Shooting sports and exercise.
K-9 Nico
In service since: November 2014
Date of Brith: March 5, 2018
Origin: Hungary
Breed: Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd
Specialty: Narcotics Detection and Patrol
Background on K-9: K-9 Nico was imported from Hungary by Shallow Creek Kennels in 3/2016 and started with RPD later that month. He completed 3 months of patrol/narcotics training then went into field training on the streets of Reading 7/2016. He was certified by NAPWDA shortly after completing his field training and has been active on the street ever since.
Special talent: Bumblebee hunting
What does he do in his off time: Destroy things in my house, catch bumblebees and play with his Pit Bull sister Callie.
Officer Brian Adler
#233
In service since: 2011
Rank: K-9 Officer
Why did you want to be a K-9 Handler: Prior to obtaining the K-9 handler position, I was assigned to patrol. K-9 was always a career goal of mine. Working alongside the current handlers over the course of my almost 9-year career drove me to actively pursue my dreams.
Favorite part of your Job: My favorite part of my job is the positive interactions I can have with the public, especially children and young adults.
What do you do for fun: In my free time I enjoy weight lifting and exploring new places, especially those of historical significance, with my family.
K-9 Ghost
Born: March 2018
Age: 2 years old
Origin: Hungary
What does he do in his off time: When Ghost is home, he enjoys playing with every dog toy in the house (our Lab was quite spoiled when she was an only dog) and playing fetch in the backyard.
Officer David Vega
#179
In service since: 2014
Rank: K-9 Officer
College: Liberty University (BS Natural, Physical, & Computational Sciences)
Why did you want to be a K-9 Handler: I loved the prospect of training, working, and living daily with a dog and becoming a greater asset to my department and the surrounding agencies.
Favorite part of your Job: Learning the fundamentals inherent to the role of the K-9 Handler position.
What do you do for fun: I enjoy spending time with my wife and children. Trail walks & short field trips are popular favorites.
K-9 Rex
Date of Birth: August 8, 2018
Origin: Hungary (which is appropriate because Rex has an insatiable appetite)
Breed: German Shepherd
Special talent: So far Rex is in the very early stages of training. I think he is going to become an ideal partner and a perfect companion
What does he do in his off time: Though he has a very high work drive, Rex loves to cuddle when not actively training.
Past Reading Police Department Handlers and K-9s
Russ Claytor – K9 Cozmo
Dave Speece
Ralph Bearsler
Bob Dohner – K9 Sarge
Bob Ramsey – K9 Baron
Jim Bell – K9 King
Terry Sassaman – K9 Nick
Phil Santoro – K9 Thor and K9 Smokey
Joe Stajkowski – K9 Chicky
Stan McCarty – K9 Spike and K9 Max and K9 Bear
Terry Greth – K9 Spartan
Al Baumener – K9 Shane
Tom Kohl – K9 Smokey
Tony Miccki – K9 Shawn and K9 Major
Randy Habecker – K9 Cie and K9 Baron and K9 Wolf
Scott Naugle – K9 Hogan
Al Shade – K9 Baron
Kenny Seifert – K9 Rock
Jim Howe – K9 Bear and K9 Zor
Mark Hafner – K9 Ben and K9 Loki
Dave Gabrielli – K9 Blitz and K9 Fax
Gary Fetter – K9 Zorro
Brian Burr – K9 Rock
Guy Lehman – K9 Logan
Andy Winters – K9 Rex
Jason Linderman – K9 Tank
Joshua Faust – K9 Rocky
Hector Santiago – K9 Caine
Tina Fallstich – K9 Max
Eric Goudy – K9 Reno