K-9 Cuties of the Tucson Police Department

November 9, 2015 — bomb squad, Officer Cookie, Officer Evo, Officer Rumsley, TPD

not real dogs

At the Cops and Rodders Car Show citizens have the chance to meet the police force. At the top of the popularity list are the canine cops. They attract everyone’s attention, from small children to senior citizens. I met Officer Evo last year and discovered that K-9 cops can have very sweet and social personalities. I am sure he would prefer to be riding in his car on the way to a case because he loves to do his regular job. But when his work includes posing for the camera or generally charming the crowd he fulfills his duty with personality and style.

strike a pose with Evo

strike a pose with Evo

strike a pose with Evo

center of attention

Officer Evo himself

charming the crowd

Officer Evo himself

Officer Evo Charms the Crowd

A new dog was making her first appearance at the car show this year.  Officer Cookie is a Labrador Retriever who is a specialist working for the bomb squad.  She is in training to learn many thousands of different explosive components by scent.  She is only two years old, so she exhibits puppy enthusiasm al the time.  She had some trouble containing herself during the national anthem to everyone’s delight.  Since bomb dogs work in crowds her friendly attitude is essential to her job performance.  She has less general and more specific training as a cop.  She will not learn to do many of the things Evo does because she is all about explosives.

Officer Cookie makes friends

Officer Cookie makes friends

While Officer Evo handled his adoring fans I had a chance to talk to Officer Rumsley, his trainer and partner, about the work they do.  Evo is a Belgian Malinois, also sometimes called a Belgian Shepard.  He was born in Czech Republic where the breed is raised for sport.  He was trained by Officer Rumsley and goes home at night to live at the Rumsley home.  He does not play with other dogs out in the world but he has a canine friend at home.  When they go searching together they look for drugs or people, one at a time.  When Evo gets as close as he can get to the source of the scent he scratches in the case of drugs or barks when he finds people.  He does communicate clearly, but Officer Rumsley always initiates everything they do.  Evo does not, like Lassie, ever say to Officer Rumsley “Timmy has fallen in the well. Come quickly!”  They work as a team with Officer Rumsley making all the decisions.  This seems like the best format because underneath his extensive discipline and training he is still a dog.  It is always a treat to get to see him.

Officer Rumsley