Stockton University Police Chief Tracy Stuart knows a lot about top dogs.
She became the school's first K-9 officer in 2011, and has continued to train hard to show how successful teaming with four-legged partners can be.
This week was no different as she and 10-year-old golden Lab, Freya, won the explosives detection division at the United States Police Canine Association’s 2026 National Detector Dog Trials held at Harrah’s Atlantic City.
“It doesn’t quite feel real, to be honest,” Stuart said. “Dreams do come true. It’s beautiful to really have that reinforcement of the fact that preparation really does pay off.”
Stuart and Freya have had a great run, with the team making the top three at Freya's first competition in 2021.
The next year, they won a national title in Georgia.
But this year was special since Stockton was the host.
Because classes are still in session, Harrah's opened up a full floor of their hotel for the competitors, with teams tested in odor recognition, as well as searching parcels, vehicles and rooms.
“It was great to have the ability to showcase Stockton and the great city of Atlantic City, where Stockton also has a campus,” Stuart said. “I think the university endeavors to support worthwhile causes, and I like to know that they are acknowledging the importance of resources that provide safety and security, not just for our university population, which is paramount, but also for the community at large. We want the public to know that safety is important to the university.”
Freya shows her skills during the competition.More than 100 law enforcement agencies across the country from places as far away as Texas and Oregon sent teams to Atlantic City to compete.
Rob Balestrieri, a detective with the Trenton Police Department, competed for the first time at nationals with his 5-year-old black lab, Vita. The two have been together for four years. He graduated from Stockton in 2009 with a Criminal Justice degree.
“I haven’t been back to Stockton since graduation, so I jumped at the opportunity to come,” he said. “It was very enjoyable. I like the way that Stockton set everything up. There was a lot of space for us to do what we needed to do with the dogs.”
Brian McCormack from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in northern New Jersey competed for the first time with his 4-year-old Belgian Malinois named Abbi.
“The environment is fantastic. The experience is wonderful, and it being held here is amazing,” he said.
McCormack said besides competing, the best thing about the trials is seeing different training methods from other peers.
“I’m so thankful to Harrah’s and the U.S. Police Canine Association to have the opportunity to get to know and test and compete with such incredible handlers from around the country, it’s been an incredible experience once again,” Stuart said.
The university's chief was the first K-9 officer in the school's history in 2011 with chocolate lab Hemi.
The duo were named National Explosives Detection Team Champions at the 2018 U.S. Police Canine Association National Detector Dog Trials, also held at the campus.
In 2020, Hemi retired to full-time pet, along with being Freya's big brother. He passed away in 2023.
Stuart said this could be Freya's last competition, as the pup has hit double digits. But that does not mean retirement is on the horizon.
“I don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring," Stuart said. "Her performance is obviously stellar, so she’s still going to be protecting and serving, but competing is different. It’s more intense. It’s extra pressure, not just for me but for the dog.
"Every Olympian, when they get to a certain point in their career finish competing. It doesn’t mean they put away their best running shoes," she added. “I know Stockton has a good dog to protect and serve this community.”
