CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Police Department is set to receive a new canine officer to its department soon. Unlike other dogs, whose jobs focus on sniffing for illegal drugs or tracking down criminals, this canine will be used to reduced anxiety.
The dog will be deployed in situations when a person observes a traumatic situation in order to calm them.
Cpl. Errol Randle, the department’s strategic planning officer, said the dog is part of the office’s community outreach efforts.
“Back in the days of the Civil Rights movement, dogs were actually used as weapons. They tore apart the fibers of the community or the relationships between the community and government,” he said. “This canine will allow us to build relationships, and that’s what we’re very excited about.”
One of the commands the dog will be able to perform is hugging.
“What they are trained to do is simply this: love on you,” Randle said. “These things are what will help build these relationships and show a good way to calm nerves and things like that.”
Randle said the dog was a mixed-breed animal who previously lived at an animal shelter. The dog’s name: Cooper, named after Charleston Police Chief Steve Cooper.
“The officers that are going to be responsible for this dog came up with that name,” he said. “I think that was pretty creative, and I know the chief gets a big kick out of it. These are the things that Chief Cooper brings to the table that we really appreciate because he’s continuing to build upon what’s going to bring police and community closer together.”
Randle said the dog will become a member of the department in a few weeks.