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Photo courtesy of Casey Collier. Westwood Police Department's K9 unit, Officer Casey Collier and K9 Scout, demonstrate their skills in September 2025.
10-25-2025 10:19pm
Westwood Police K9 Unit Gains Experience, Expertise, and Equipment
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Since joining Westwood Police Department earlier this year, Officer Casey Collier and K9 Scout have been busy – regularly patrolling, making a first visit to Westwood Day, putting on a K9 demonstration, earning a new certification with the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) in Firearms and Ammunition Detection, and learning how to work in a new bullet and stab protective vest.
The new canine police recruit seems to be taking well to his position. Scout gave a good demonstration at Westwood Day on September 20, says Officer Collier. Scout successfully demonstrated how he can search for an explosive odor in a car and ably recovered a handgun hidden by a volunteer in a field. His reward? A favorite food or toy.
Photo courtesy of Casey Collier. At Westwood Day on September 20, 2025, Westwood Police Officer Casey Collier and K9 Scout attracted a crowd to their firearms and explosives detection demonstration.A few days later, Officer Collier and Scout received USPCA certification for work in firearms and ammunitions, adding to their credentials in explosives detection and tracking missing people.
Scout has also added a protective vest to his gear. The custom-made vest, donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and sponsored by Amy and Scott Casmassar of Norwich, Connecticut, is embroidered with the sentiment, “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.” It provides similar protection to what officers wear. It weights somewhere between 5 lb. to 10 lb., and can be dehydrating to wear in the summer, says Officer Collier. He will use it at his discretion, when he feels that Scout may need its added protection.
Photo courtesy of Casey Collier. Westwood Police K9 Scout wears his new protective vest, donate by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.“He [Scout] has worn it a few times now, and seems to like it,” says Officer Collier. Scout has already had some experience with a vest, wearing the one formerly worn by his predecessor, K9 Duke.
In the days ahead, Officer Collier and Scout are looking forward to more training and work opportunities where they can apply their specialized skills in detecting firearms and explosives, and tracking missing persons.
Thanks to Officer Casey Collier for his contributions to this Westwood Minute article.
Updated 10/26/2025 at 5:25 p.m. The initial post contained an incorrect statement about the K9 unit's certification, which has now been corrected. They are not certified in narcotics detection but are certified in firearms and ammunition detection, explosives, and tracking missing persons.
