The West Penn Police Department continued last week's CSI camp on Thursday at the Commonwealth Connections Academy in Andreas with demonstrations from their K-9 unit.

The students in attendance got to learn about narcotics and drug searches from Sgt. Melissa Ruch and West Penn Chief of Police Brian Johnson. The officers also taught the kids about the dogs that work for the police department and all that they do."It's amazing how smart these dogs are. They learn us faster than we learn them," Johnson said.West Penn is the only police department with a K-9 unit in Carbon or Schuylkill County. The unit has two dogs: Argus, who works with Ruch and does drug searches, and Gunner, who works with Johnson and does drug searches as well as apprehension.Students got to witness both dogs perform their jobs. The officers simulated drug searches in an office room by having both dogs search for drugs that were hidden in the room. This was followed by drug searches outside on the department's CSI van.Chief Johnson then demonstrated an apprehension situation with Gunner by having him find a hidden suspect and bite a padded sleeve the suspect was wearing. The sleeve was worn by Sgt. Jason Lorah, who was happy to volunteer for the sake of helping the dog's training."As long as he only gets my arm, I'm happy," Lorah said.As friendly as the dogs can be, their demeanor can change quickly when they are being prepared for a job where they may need to bite. Michele Bittner, a West Penn Elementary teacher who helped to set up the camp, talked to the students about how the police dogs are not like household pets."Until today, I only saw Gunner when he was social and friendly. I wouldn't even go near him this morning when he was practicing his bites. He didn't even seem like the same dog," Bittner said.