May 22, 2009 2 min read

Lt. Craig Miller of the Cumberland Township police department and Artis, the township’s canine officer, have been rather active providing services in their area and in neighboring communities. Recently, Miller and Artis performed a routine drug search at Waynesburg Central High School. This was done as prevention and protection on behalf of the high school students. School officials said searches will be done randomly throughout the school year. Miller and Artis have assisted in nearly 20 drug arrests for Cumberland Township. They have conducted school searches for Mapletown High School and Waynesburg Central High School, and assisted with a search in Charleroi High School.

Miller and Artis have assisted in the investigation, apprehension, and arrest of a number of suspects. They have assisted the Pennsylvania State Police in tracking two armed robbery suspects and in executing narcotics search warrants. They were also called to assist state police with the report of a missing autistic juvenile. They recently reported to the scene of an armed robbery to assist Waynesburg Borough in his tracking and apprehension. They have also assisted the borough with several traffic stops.

Miller and Artis also provide assistance to the Greene County Drug Task Force, including the execution of search warrants and detection of controlled substances and related contraband in residences and vehicles.

They presented a demonstration last summer to participants at the Waynesburg University Criminal Justice Program Crime Scene Investigation Program and they are expected to appear for this year’s program. They have also conducted presentations at Senior Citizens Centers including Carmichaels and Jefferson. They look forward to additional opportunities to assist the community and school districts, creating awareness of the role of law enforcement and canine detection in working to keep our communities safe and drug free.

Artis is a two-year-old Dutch Shepherd acquired on Jan. 13, 2008 from Trainer Mike Garrow, a K9 handler with the Uniontown Police Department. Miller and Artis attended three weeks of narcotics training with Master Trainer Bill Sombo in North Huntingdon. They were certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Pennsylvania Police Work Dog Association.

Miller and Artis also attended a six-week training course in the areas of patrol, tracking, advanced obedience, evidence recovery and prisoner apprehension.

They continue to train several days per month at various locations in Greene, Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. They attend mandatory recertification classes each year.