HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — The High Point Police Department is adding a new member to its street crime unit. That is the unit that goes after violent offenders every day.
The new 1-and-a-half-year-old Dutch Shepherd named Jacky will be the first K-9 member of the force.
Jacky has an advantage over the officers she serves along with. Her nose will be able to sniff out drugs and guns.
Jacky will be joining the street crime unit. Her main focus is sniffing out drugs and guns, especially in cars.
“Jacky is going to be able to aid in that just due to getting inside that vehicle and searching around it, allowing us to pull different items from there that could save the community as far as drugs and firearms,” Street Crime Detective Josh Hohn said.
Hohn has been with this department for four years. When there was mention of a dog joining the team he was all in.
“I think I was one of the first ones to say, ‘Hey, I’ll definitely do it,’” Hohn said.
Before taking on Jacky, Hohn had to become a trained handler. According to Andrew Lanier, the handler trainer, that’s one of the most challenging parts.
“When people go through the initial training of becoming a police officer, we always ask them, ‘Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?’ Almost everyone will say, ‘I’d love to work a dog,’” Lanier said.
He says when it comes time for tryouts, very few show up.
“I think it’s because they realize once they get in, it’s not like the movies. It’s a lot of work,” Lanier said.
With Jacky on the street unit, she’ll be able to do some things that people just can’t.
“During the training phase, this handler school were able to learn how the wind shifts directions and moves around a vehicle or through a vehicle. Jacky is a very smart girl. She is able to tell exactly where something could be in the area or that vehicle,” Hohn said.
Jacky and Hohn both have to pass their certifications. He’s hopeful they will be in the field in the coming weeks.
