PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Port St. Lucie Police Department has introduced a new member to its team: Dexter, a black Labrador who is trained to detect electronic devices. Dexter can sniff out phones, USBs, computers, and other devices to aid police investigations.
WATCH BELOW: 'He’s going to be able to scent the glue used in electronic storage devices,' Chief Leo Niemczyk tells WPTV
Although Dexter has been with the department for less than a week, he is already proving to be an asset. K-9 trainer Will Harris explained that they conduct training sessions frequently.
“We train about an hour a day every day of the week,” to sniff out electronic devices like tablets, computers, phones, SD cards, and external hard drives during search warrants.
Chief Leo Niemczyk highlighted Dexter’s calm demeanor, which makes him an excellent candidate for this type of work, especially when dealing with sensitive cases involving child predators and human trafficking.
“Oftentimes, people are trying to hide and dispose of evidence. They have fake coins that exist that can contain SD storage cards,” Niemczyk noted.
So, how does Dexter manage to detect these items?
“He’s going to be able to scent the glue used in electronic storage devices,” said Niemczyk, adding that the specific glue used in manufacturing electronics has a distinct chemical compound that Dexter is trained to detect.
Coming from Our Rescue, the organization that trained Dexter in Indianapolis, he is now one of only 10 electronic detection dogs in Florida and one of only two on the East Coast. In addition to his role in locating evidence, Dexter also acts as a therapy dog for victims during investigations.
“When we have a child victim, he’s really great for providing comfort,” said Niemczyk.
As law enforcement continues to face challenges related to technology and crime, Dexter represents a significant advancement in police investigative capabilities. He will soon be out in the field working alongside officers.
