The Peel Regional Police Department in Ontario has enlisted a new officer: an "electronic storage device dog."
Harley, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, is the first dog in Canada to be trained to sniff out digital storage devices, according to the department.
Harley is working with the Internet Child Exploitation Unit to help locate hard drives and storage devices owned by potential child predators.
Harley, along with her handler Detective Constable Jay Vanderburgh, recently graduated from the initial Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) canine course in Indianapolis, Indiana. She's already accompanied the ICE Unit on search warrants and quickly achieved success: On one of her first search warrants, Harley located four different devices that were of interest to investigators.
"Harley has very quickly transformed the day-to-day workings of the ICE Unit. Her presence provides amazing support to officers who must do a very challenging job," Detective Andrew Ullock said in a statement. "In the field, she is already transforming how we conduct searches for evidence and she is making us much more efficient at what we do."
In addition to helping catch creepy criminals, Harley serves as an emotional support dog for Peel Police officers.
"She provides amazing support to officers who must do a very challenging job," Ullock said. "She lightens the mood in a way only a dog can."
Like the vast majority of Labrador Retrievers, Harley has a friendly and playful disposition and loves the company of people, the department said. Her demeanor will allow her to support the Special Victims Unit during interviews, along with on-duty officers who need a break and a friendly Lab face to help get them through their day.
"We are very proud to deploy Canada's very first ESD canine," Ullock said.
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