CU Boulder police launch K-9 unit
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University of Colorado K-9 Dax and officer Ryley Davis. Photo: Courtesy of University of Colorado
The University of Colorado Police Department has welcomed two new four-legged recruits, creating its first-ever K-9 unit for explosive detection.
Why it matters: The new unit lets campus police handle big-event security in-house and respond faster to threats or suspicious items.
Driving the news: The department over the summer brought in two 2-year-old dogs: Dax, a black Labrador retriever, and Harlo, a golden Labrador retriever.
- Dax is handled by officer Ryley Davis, while Harlo is partnered with officer Bianca Sipres.
Behind the scenes: Sipres told Axios Boulder that UCPD got the green light from the university chancellor in March for the canine unit.
- A four-year veteran of the department, she had no prior K-9 experience but said it was her "dream job."
- "For one, you get to work with a dog," she said. "And I think it makes you a better officer to be able to work side-by-side with an animal."
Fun fact: Both pups live with their handlers, too: "Harlo's with me 24/7; at home he's just like a normal pet," Sipres told us.
Threat level: The dogs and their handlers had barely wrapped up their training when CU got a bomb threat to Norlin Library. The campus evacuated, and the new team swept the building.
- The threat turned out to be unfounded — but it was their first real emergency, and both dogs handled it like pros, Sipres said.
- "We knew that's what we were signing up for," she told us. "It was a proud mom moment."
Between the lines: Beyond their explosives work, CU hopes the dogs will double as community ambassadors — boosting morale at campus events and spreading smiles just by being adorable.
- The pups are already doing their part: Students and staff stop to say hi, engagement on the department's Instagram is up, and officers say the dogs make them more approachable.
What's next: The department hopes to expand the dogs' skills to include tracking and other tasks. For now, though, they're still learning — and still very much puppies.