Jan. 2022 | Vol. 02 Iss. 01
FREE
ournals J TH E
C I T Y
North Salt Lake/Woods Cross
YOUR C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
SPECIALIZED K9 USES HIS NOSE TO SNIFF OUT ELECTRONICS
Byline
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com
WOODS CROSS—The Woods Cross Police Department’s newest member is using his nose to sniff out crime. K9 Flash (for flash drive) is one of only two dogs in the state that are trained to detect electronics such as USBs, cellphones, hard drives or other devices that criminals hide information on. “It’s mostly child pornography and exploitation that they store on devices,” said Flash’s handler Det. Kimberly Burton. “Also in white collar crimes where they have documents stored with information we need to pull off of there.” The 2-year-old lab started out training as a seeing-eye dog, said Burton. “But he was too hyper so he became a working dog and went on to become an electronic storage detection dog.” Flash is trained to sniff out TPPO, a chemical used in the manufacturing of small electronics, she said. “He only eats when he trains. Four to five times a day I hide devices anywhere
I can and he goes around and finds them for me and then he gets to eat. It is food driven, that’s what makes labs good working dogs.” There was definitely an immediate connection, Burton said. “We were paired together and the trainers said they’d never seen a bond like that before. We got the highest score out of the whole class. He hasn’t left my side since we met. He’s been with me every second.” Operation Underground Railroad donated Flash to the department, she said. “They paid for all of the training, supplies and for me to go back to Indiana to train with him. They’ll pay for everything going forward too. We’re really grateful. Dogs aren’t cheap.” Continued page 11 The Woods Cross Police Department’s newest K9 Flash was donated by Operation Underground Railroad. He is one of only two dogs in the state trained to detect electronics. Photo by Becy Ginos
W E A R E C O M M U N I T Y … W E A R E DAV I S C O U N T Y
www.russonmortuary.com
• Complete Funeral Services • Cremation Services
“We have a reputation of Excellence and Service.” Local Postal Customer ECRWSS Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.
BOUNTIFUL 295 N Main St 801-295-5505
• Pre-Paid Funeral Planning • Veterans Services
FARMINGTON 1941 N Main St 801-447-8247
SYRACUSE 1550 W 300 S 801-825-3655
Thank You to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals
Presort Std U.S. Postage PAID Ogden, UT Permit #190