About

Officer David Peterson of the Norwalk Police Department has worked with the Norwalk Police Department since 2005.  He has been a member of CPWDA and NAPWDA since 2010, NPCA since 2011 and NNDDA since 2020. Officer Peterson has been  a member of the Norwalk Police K-9 Unit since 2007.  He began working with the Canine Unit as the Unit’s Decoy and Assistant Trainer, under Sergeant Frank Reda.

In March of 2012, He began working with Superior K9 Services with the development of green dogs and brand new handlers.  He has conducted several K-9 Instructor Courses, that are devised of 10 weeks and 400 hours. These classes are focused on the development of dogs and their handlers, in the area of Detection, Tracking, and Patrol. He has assisted in training over 40 dogs, all of which are now certified in either Patrol and Narcotics or Explosives.  He presently leads the Southwest Region 7 bi-annual, monthly training. These trainings consists of over 20 dogs and involved as a trainer for several CPWDA events over the past several years.

Officer Peterson’s current partner is a 3 year old, all Black German Shepherd, Nova. PSD Nova is certified in Narcotics, Tracking, Patrol and has been serving with the Norwalk Police Department for 2 years.  Officer David Peterson first partner, PSD Rainor (retired) were the 1st runners up for the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K9 award in 2014.  Officer David Peterson and PSD Rainor were also selected by FLEOA for “K-9 Heroes” of 2014, where they were honored inside Fenway Park.  PSD Rainor served for the Norwalk Police Department for 9 years before retirement.

Officer Peterson was elected to the CPWDA Executive Board in 2017.  Officer David Peterson is a Certifying Official with NPCA, NNDDA and CPWDA certifying over 50 Teams Bi-annually for Detection, Tracking and Patrol.

Todd Mona graduated the CSP K9 Academy In 2006 for patrol work with his first dog K9 Primo.  They went on to join CPWDA in 2007 where they were the Daniel Wasson Memorial award winner twice and runner up once.  The team also won numerous awards at the Connecticut Police K9 Olympics to include 1st and 3rd place finishes along with top awards for obedience, tactical obedience and criminal apprehension over their career.  Primo was stabbed several times in 2009 in his back and head.  He was able to make a full recovery after several months and return to full duty until retiring in 2015.  During their tenure they logged over 2000 training hours including tactical swat school, high risk deployment school, tracking seminars, perimeter containment’s and decoy school.  Primo had over 125 tracking finds and building search finds during his career.  In 2014 Todd Mona achieved his Maintenance Trainer certification in which he hosted his first patrol class in 2015 and founded the ‘Capital Region K9 Academy’.  Mona also bred, selected and raised a puppy from a litter to be his new partner in the class.  K9 Casus Belli has since gone on to win numerous awards at the Cabelas K9 competition, Dreamride K9 competition,  Connecticut Police K9 Olympics and second runner up to the Daniel Wasson Memorial award.   In 2016 Mona hosted his second patrol class and in 2016 hosted a three day building search class.  In 2018 Mona crossed trained Casus in gun detection work through M/T Scribner.  Mona has assisted M/T Scribner in several patrol/narcotics classes in the past few years.  Mona has logged to date through 2019 over 2500 training hours with his second dog and currently in the process of testing for trainer through NAPWDA.  Casus has over 50 finds on tracks and building searches to date as well as locating 5 stolen firearms. Officer Mona became C.P.W.D.A. North East Vice-president in 2021

Sergeant Garrett Kruger is an active 16 year law enforcement veteran who currently serves as the commanding officers for his departments six dog K9 unit.  He has been working with the K9 Unit since 2007 as a decoy and started working his first dual purpose patrol canine in 2012.  In 2018 he started working two canines, the dual purpose patrol canine and a second explosive detection Labrador.  In 2020 his first patrol dog was retired and a second was trained in dual purpose patrol work.  He currently works two canines for his department.

Sergeant Kruger has been the recipient of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association “K9 Hero’s” award in 2014 for a K9 application and Officer of the year in 2009.  He received the Police Service Cross award in 2011, eight Officer of the Month awards, seven Meritorious Commendation Awards, two MADD Awards, 2008 Courage of Connecticut Award, 2011 United States Attorney Award, 2008 and 2011 Distinguished Service Awards, and 2019 Hope Foundation Community Service Award.  He currently is certified through the FBI Methods of Instruction class and Connecticut POSTC to teach in K9 Deployments and Perimeters, Motor Vehicle Stops, Use of Force Instructor. Taser Instructor, Less Lethal Instructor, and Defense Technologies Instructor in chemical, impact and aerosol munitions.

Sergeant Kruger has been a CPWDA member since 2012 and has served as the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Secretary since 2021.

Officer David Gallo has been a police officer with the Seymour Police Department since 2017. Prior to his service with Seymour, he was an officer with the Wallingford Police Department from 2013 – 2017. While in Wallingford, he served as a member of the Emergency Services Team, and was a Defense Technologies Instructor in: chemical, impact and aerosol munition.Officer Gallo has been a member of Seymour Police K-9 unit since 2019, working with his partner K9 “Argus”. Officer Gallo and Argus won both the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K9 award and Tracking award in 2022. They were also recognized as second runner up for the Daniel Wasson Memorial K9 award in 2021. Officer Gallo is currently a Field Training Officer, and is certified through POSTC to teach: firearms, taser, use of force, handcuffing, baton, and pepper spray. Officer Gallo has been a member of CPWDA since 2020, and was elected to the position of North West Vice – President in 2024.

Officer Shawn Lisee has been a member of the Groton Police Department since 2006 and assigned to his department’s K9 Unit as a K9 handler since 2009. Shawn has handled three K9’s for the Groton Police Department, K9 Nico from 2009 to 2016, K9 Ace from 2016 to 2021, and K9 Loki from 2021 to present. Shawn and K9 Ace were acknowledged as “1st runner up” for the Daniel Wasson Memorial Award in 2018. In May 2024, Shawn became an accredited master trainer with the North American Police Work Dog Association in the areas of patrol and narcotics. Shawn is currently the lead trainer for the Southeastern C.P.W.D.A. training group, offering bi weekly in-service training for K9 teams from Southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. Shawn has been a member of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association since 2009. Shawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Becker College, and a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from Liberty University. Officer Lisee was elected as C.P.W.D.A. South East Vice-President in 2024.

Since joining the Westport Police Department in Connecticut in February 2010, Corporal James Loomer has demonstrated unwavering dedication, professionalism, and expertise in law enforcement. A certified officer through the Connecticut State Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POSTC), Corporal Loomer has been a full-time K-9 handler since 2012.His journey in the K-9 unit began with his first police service dog, a Belgian Malinois, certified in patrol and narcotics detection. In 2017, Corporal Loomer expanded his expertise by handling a second service dog, a Labrador, specializing in explosives detection. Following the retirement of his initial K-9 partner, he certified with a successor, another Belgian Malinois, in 2020. Over the years, Corporal Loomer has honed his skills as both a handler, decoy, and a trainer assistant, blending field experience with training proficiency. This unique combination has allowed him to support and collaborate with neighboring departments regularly. As the leader and training coordinator of his department’s four dog K-9 Unit, Corporal Loomer has played an instrumental role in numerous patrol and narcotics training schools. His commitment to excellence and passion for the K-9 program earned him recognition throughout his career, including a Chief’s Commendation, a Life Saving Award, three Meritorious Police Duty Awards, two Honorable Police Service Awards, and seven Unit Citations from his department’s command staff. Corporal Loomer is currently a certified member of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association (CPWDA), the National Police Canine Association (NPCA), and the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association (NNDDA). He also held previous certifications with the National Police Work Dog Association (NPWDA). In 2024, he was named a certifying official for the NNDDA and appointed Secretary of the CPWDA, further underscoring his leadership and expertise in K-9 operations. Beyond his law enforcement career, Corporal Loomer is a graduate student at Western Connecticut State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. His dedication to public safety and professional growth continues to define his remarkable career. Corporal Loomer was elected to the CPWDA Board as Secretary in 2024.

Officer Felicia Figol has been a police officer with the Newtown Police Department since 2004. Prior to her service with Newtown she was an Arizona State Trooper for 6.5 years. Officer Figol has been a K-9 handler since 2010 and has handled three police K9’S, K9 Aris, K9 Baro and K9 Saint Michael and has certified her K9’S in Patrol and Narcotics. In 2019 she was named the Connecticut Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for “exceptional service” by The American Legion, Department of Connecticut. Officer Figol also received a formal citation from the Connecticut General Assembly, honoring her for her police work.  She is a field training officer, a certified police instructor, and a crisis intervention officer. Officer Figol founded and runs the Western Connecticut K-9 Challenge, a competition for police dogs and their handlers. The officer also runs a program designed for females age 15 and up called “Escape Alive,” which is geared to demonstrating self-defense techniques. She has been involved in Crime Prevention and the Explorer Program in Newtown and is a strong supporter of Telecommunicators. Officer Figol was elected Treasurer of the C.P.W.D.A. in 2023.

Jim Cortina served as Treasurer for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. from 1991 through 2022. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) “Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9” which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. On December 31, 2022 Jim stepped down as Treasurer to become Certificate and Plaque Coordinator.