'CSI' Students Meet 4-Legged Officer

It was CSI meets K9 unit recently when a SEPTA transit police officer and his canine partner visited Eastern's "Crime Scene Investigation" students.

Police Officer Dave Parke, an Eastern 1988 Automotive Technology graduate, discussed the use and training of dogs in high-risk stations that would normally require two officers.

These teams are essential in bomb detection as well as reducing felony crimes. At the end of his presentation to the school's Crime Scene Investigation summer fun program students, Parke, a member of the K9 unit since 1998, brought in his police dog, Zazu, for a demonstration.

He spoke to Eastern students about the K9 unit and the process for training dogs for patrol. He showed several video reenactments of situations in which the main officer called out specific commands and how the highly trained animal responded to those commands. 

CSI students had the unique experience of watching Parke demonstrate commands with his own patrol dog.

“There are several students in my class who are interested in this area of law enforcement,” said George Stahl, Eastern CSI Instructor. “This was a great opportunity to hear about the field first-hand and get all of their questions answered.”