K-9 Unit

K-9 Hutch is a yellow lab who was born and raised in the great state of Maine at Mill Pond Retrievers. Hutch began his career with the North Berwick Police Department in September 2023 and completed his detection certification by attending the Maine State Police 8-Week K-9 Detector School. He is trained to alert on the odor of narcotics including, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, and heroin. Hutch is partnered with Officer Patrick Roy. Hutch is named in honor of former North Berwick Police Chief Elmer Hutchins who was shot and wounded in the line of duty in April of 1975.

The North Berwick Police Department created a K-9 Unit in 2011 and since its inception has had welcomed K-9 Hoki and K-9 Maverick - along with newly certified K-9 Hutch - to their ranks. Lieutenant Daniel Pelkey served as the Department's first K-9 Handler, handling both Hoki and Maverick for their careers. Lieutenant Pelkey still serves as a K-9 Trainer assisting the Maine State Police in the on-going training needed for all State, County, and Municipal K-9 Teams across the State of Maine.