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Summer is fast-approaching, and with it, some big milestones and celebrations. Over in the Constitution State, Connecticut State Police have welcomed the 246th graduating class of patrol K-9 units, who are now ready to protect and serve alongside their human companions in law enforcement. This represents not just a huge step for the dogs slated to aid law enforcement nor just an annual checkbox filled out for the city. This K-9 unit's graduation means that there are nine such units able to actively protect and serve throughout the entirety of Connecticut. But it's not just man's best friend on this team but rather a system of officers each with their own important responsibility for keeping things working. Connecticut celebrates its 246th graduating K-9 patrol unit class Connecticut State Police celebrates the graduation of over half a dozen K-9 units ready to protect and serve / PICRYL The K-9 unit is just that, a unit, a team, each one comprised of either a local police officer or a state trooper and their respective K-9. Each team looking to graduate was tested on a variety of crucial skills the dogs are expected to perform when on duty. RELATED: The Air Force Is Asking People To Adopt Their Retired Military Dogs Those include locating important evidence for investigations, promoting community engagement, providing support to officers, and even locating missing individuals. The training program lasted 16 weeks that required a strong performance from all candidates, canine or otherwise. Another graduating class of canines proves themselves and readies to protect and serve the community All dogs, regardless of background or path, must pass obedience training / Unsplash "As we welcome these exceptional canine teams into active service," said Connecticut State Police in a statement, "we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the trainers, handlers and all those involved in their support and training." The latest graduating class of K-9 patrol units has been determined capable of serving communities across Connecticut with "unwavering dedication and skill." "This highly anticipated graduation marks an important milestone in enhancing public safety in the State of Connecticut," the CSP statement further reads, alongside a list of the graduating canine teams. There are different kinds of service dogs in law enforcement with distinct barriers between their responsibilities / Unsplash Dogs have been used in law enforcement since the Middle Ages, notes the National Police Dog Foundation. While the most iconic breeds are German Shepherds, the organization also notes that other breeds stand out with unique talents, including the Labrador Retriever's excellent tracking and detection skills. Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds share this valuable skill. No matter the background, the most fundamental part of readying to officially become part of a K-9 unit starts with obedience training. Since there are actually two types of K-9 units, patrol and detection, the National Police Dog Foundation defines patrol units as "These dogs are used to provide patrol duties (officer protection, suspect apprehension, area or building clearance, and security in sensitive or controlled areas." Detection, meanwhile, means detecting either narcotics or explosives—always one or the other, with no one dog trained for both. These police dogs were rigorously trained to locate evidence and find missing people / Unsplash RELATED: A New Potential Bill May Cover The Cost Of Service Dogs For Veterans With PTSD