Atlantic City, N.J. — Stockton University Police Chief Tracy Stuart and her K-9 partner, Freya, made what could be their final national competition together one to remember.

The duo won the explosives detection division at the United States Police Canine Association’s 2026 National Detector Dog Trials with a perfect score this week 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.”

It’s the second time that Stuart and Freya, a 10-year-old golden retriever, have won a national title, their last coming in 2022 in Georgia. But this year’s win was even more special as Stockton hosted the trials. Stuart said Stockton hosted the 2018 competition on campus, but this year’s event was relocated to Harrah’s because classes are still in session.

“It was great to have the ability to showcase Stockton and the great city of Atlantic City, where Stockton also has a campus,” she 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.”

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.

During the competition, teams were tested in odor recognition, as well as searching parcels, vehicles and rooms. The handler and their K-9 partner worked together to locate the hidden explosives. Stuart said Harrah’s set aside an entire floor of their hotel for the trials.

“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,” she added.

Stuart previously won national titles with her previous K-9 partner Hemi in 2018 and 2019. Hemi, a chocolate lab, retired in 2020 and died in 2023.

Because of Freya’s age, Stuart said this could be her last competition, but that doesn’t mean she’s going out of service.

“I don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring. Her performance is obviously stellar, so she’s still going to be protecting and serving, but competing is different,” she said. “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.”

“I know Stockton has a good dog to protect and serve this community.” 

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen