05/01/2025
The Webster Police Department wishes to introduce the newest additions to our K9 Unit. Please welcome Officer Jonathan Brooks and K9 OJ, our newest narcotic detection team.
Officer Brooks has been with the department since 2017. He currently serves as a Fi****ms Instructor, S*x Offender Registry Officer, and a Field Training Officer. K9 OJ is a 2-year old female German Shorthaired Pointer, originally born in the Netherlands and imported from Shallow Creek Kennels in Pa.
Just recently, Officer Brooks and K9 OJ finished their basic narcotic detection training with the Auburn Police Department. During the course of the last few months, both handler and K9 got to know each other and learned how to work together as Narcotic Detection Team.
At the end of their training, both were tested by an independent North American Police Work Dog Association Master Trainer and received their national certification. Upon her graduation, OJ received her official designation as K9-8, the eighth canine in department history.
K9 OJ is named in remembrance of Webster Police Detective Cynthia Johnson, a longtime School Resource Officer in the Webster Public Schools. Cynthia was affectionately called "OJ" (short for "Officer Johnson") by the Bartlett students and was a positive influence in many of their lives. She was a respected colleague and passed away after a longtime battle with cancer on July 18th 2017, at the age of 46. She will never be forgotten.
K9 OJ is certified to detect the odors of co***ne, crack co***ne, he**in, and methamphetamine. She will also be the first department single purpose K9 that will be utilized for people sniffs. This will be a great tool for our detectives and officers to utilize in their street investigations. As part of the Central Mass Law Enforcement Council's K9 Unit, she will be one of only two K9's trained to do this.
The Police Department wishes to thank the Curaleaf Company for their donation to fully fund K9 OJ’s purchase. Over the past two years, their commitment to our community has also helped fund our Department’s RAD program. Without them, neither would have been possible.
We would also like to thank Trainers David Ljunggren, James Ljunggren (ret.) from the Auburn Police Department, Officer Timothy Brodeur from the Chicopee Police Department, and NAPWDA Master Trainer Peter Oswicki (ret.) from the Suffield Ct. Police. All of whom had a hand in this team’s training and certification.
Yesterday, K9 OJ got to meet some of the Curaleaf employees. Pictured in the group photo is K9 Officer Aaron Suss, Alyssa Sandstrom, Curaleaf’s Oxford Store Manager, Kaileigh Brewer, a Quality Specialist with the Webster location, Brit Kinsbury, a Production Manager, with the Webster location, Officer Brooks, K9 OJ, and Chief Michael Shaw.
Also pictured is a photo of the team during their training. K9 OJ can be seen indicating to a narcotic hide in K9 Officer Daniel Mehlhouse’s pant leg. If you look closely, you can see Officer Brooks tossing OJ her reward for a successful find.
Also pictured is a photo of Detective Johnson and a mural done by the Bartlett High School students in memory of her in 2019. This just illustrates the impression she left, not only on the students, but on our community.
