The Port St. Lucie Police Department has recently welcomed a new four-legged member to its team, a black Labrador named Dexter who boasts a unique set of skills geared toward electronic detection. Dexter, aged 2, officially joined the force on Monday, with abilities that extend beyond the typical K-9 unit roles. According to information obtained from TCPalm, this Labrador is trained to locate various electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, computers, and GPS trackers, all of which are essential in today's tech-centric crime scene investigations.
Dexter accomplishes his tasks by sniffing out the chemical aroma of the adhesive within these gadgets. Not only is he a valuable asset in retrieving potential evidence but Dexter is also certified as a therapy dog, providing emotional support to victims and fellow police staff members alike. As Police Chief Leo Niemczyk stated yesterday, "Almost every investigation that we encounter in this day and age has an electronic component to it, whether it be cell phones or computers, and oftentimes people are trying to hide and dispose of evidence," as noted by TCPalm.
Dexter's inclusion in the force is a result of a collaborative effort with OUR Rescue, an Indiana-based program that provided the dog along with training and certification from Jordan Detection K9. Out of Florida's current roster of elite canines trained in both electronic storage detection and therapy, Dexter is one of only nine. His handler, Detective Andrew Zamfino, shares a compatible disposition with his new partner, a match made possible through a personality test that ensures optimum synergy during operations, according to the same TCPalm report.
Training remains an integral part of Dexter's daily routine, with exercises conducted both at the police office and at home with Zamfino. Trainer Will Harris noted that Dexter is a "food-reward dog," which means he is given food directly after he successfully completes his search tasks. "That makes him very efficient at what he does," Harris told TCPalm, "because he has to do it to eat."
Dexter's addition to the Port St. Lucie Police Department has drawn significant attention on social media. According to WPTV, the department has confirmed the arrival of its newest recruit. However, Dexter has not yet been deployed on his first official assignment.
