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SASKATOON — Saskatoon police have added a new specialist to their ranks – one with four paws, a golden coat, and a talent for finding evidence investigators can’t see.
Taffy is part of the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit. She recently successfully completed the Jordan Detection K9 Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) program in Indianapolis, Indiana with 22 other dog teams.
Taffy is a nearly three-year-old golden retriever, began her work with the SPS earlier this year alongside her handler, Detective Sergeant Bryon Sommacal.
In addition to her primary work to locate electronic devices during the execution of search warrants, Taffy also serves a secondary role as a deep therapy support dog for victims of crime and members of the SPS. Since beginning her work, Taffy has fulfilled each function of her role; locating hidden electronic devices during the execution of search warrants, providing comfort to a child victim of a sex crime, and, most recently, supporting members of the SPS following the sudden loss of a colleague.
The SPS obtained Taffy at no cost through OUR Rescue; a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement agencies in efforts to combat human trafficking and child exploitation through the donation of ESD dogs and costs associated with training and annual recertifications. Taffy is one of eight dog teams in Canada and the first in Saskatchewan trained in locating electronic devices in internet child exploitation investigations.
ESD dogs are purpose-trained to detect the chemical compound commonly found in electronic devices such as cell phones, USBs, hard drives, SD cards, laptops, and other digital media that may contain evidence relevant to an internet child exploitation investigation.
“Digital evidence plays a significant role in internet child exploitation investigations,” says Staff Sergeant Tim Failler, Coordinator of the Saskatchewan ICE Unit. “Even the smallest device can hold thousands of images, videos, and messages. The introduction of Taffy as a resource for investigators greatly increases our ability to locate those devices and hold offenders accountable.”
The addition of Taffy at the SPS to support the work of the Saskatchewan ICE Unit furthers our commitment to providing effective response and quality service to protect our community and meet their needs.
