Jan. 04--SAN BERNARDINO -- The university Police Department has more bite to it these days.
That's because Cal State San Bernardino's latest hire -- Chevy, a two-year-old German shepherd -- recently became the campus' first police dog.
"Everybody here loves him -- loves to be around him and pet him," said K-9 Officer Helen Skaggs. "They enjoy him."
Chevy, a crime-fighting bundle of energy who got his name from a trainer in Little Rock, Ark., is training to detect explosives.
The first scent he mastered was smokeless powder. Now he's up to five scents,
with the goal of reaching 12 so he can become state-certified.
Chevy is on the campus once each week and also trains with other police dogs twice weekly in Fontana.
The university Police Department says Chevy has been a big hit.
"For the most part, it's good (public relations) for the campus," said Sgt. Le Andre Fields.
More important, however, is the extra support Chevy brings to campus safety.
Fields said Chevy will work well at large events where police officers can conduct sweeps for explosives and weapons.
Indeed, when Skaggs hid the bullet clip from her gun on Wednesday morning, Chevy was able to sniff it out in less than a minute.
Skaggs gained an interest in K-9 work when she rode with a K-9 officer during her stint as a police Explorer while at Colton High School.
"Ever since then I knew it was something I wanted to do," she said.
Skaggs suggested the idea of a K-9 unit to top cops at the university Police Department.
But with the department lacking the money to buy a dog, Skaggs sought funding through grants and private donations, and was able to raise the roughly $10,500 needed to buy Chevy.
Fields said Cal State San
Bernardino is one of five Cal State campuses that have K-9 units.
Chevy is described as a high-energy dog that is ready to work and play. And his temperament fits his working environment.
"For this campus, we wanted to make sure we got a dog that would work well with the students and faculty," said Lt. Walter Duncan.
Skaggs said that when Chevy patrols the campus, he's a friendly dog. But he's very protective of his patrol car.
"If somebody comes within 10 feet (of the car), he's going to let them know to stand back," Skaggs said.
Chevy lives with Skaggs and enjoys playing with her two young sons.
"If my boys were here, they'd be laying on him," she said.
He's a picky eater,
Skaggs said. Now on his fifth variety of dog food, Skaggs said Chevy can eat about 30 pounds of food every two weeks.
Reach Josh via email, call him at 909-386-3885, or find him on Twitter @SBcityNow.
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