Responding to the long stretch of hot weather, Officer Leo, the three-year veteran canine of the Newton Police Department (NPD), and his human partner, Officer Justin Lau, offered some hot weather advice for Newton’s canine population (see video).
The 3-year-old Golden Retriever wants to be sure that owners do not leave dogs in hot cars, even for really quick errands. Officer Lau reports that the NPD gets frequent calls from concerned citizens about dogs in cars.
In addition, Officer Lau suggests that dogs be walked early in the morning and at sunset because those times are cooler, protecting dog paws from hot cement. Since dogs do not sweat, Officer Lau stresses that dog owners need to ensure their pets have ready access to cold water.
Community Outreach Officer Justin Lau, a fourteen-year veteran of the NPD, has been Leo’s partner for almost all of Leo’s life. Leo exhibited the right personality for canine Outreach Officer when he was an eight-week-old puppy. Since then, his training has been rigorous and ongoing. As part of that process, he goes to a variety of places — large stores, train stations, high traffic areas — where he adapts to crowds and noise. He has also been trained to track scent in cases where children or adults are missing. Leo understands that when his vest is on, he is on duty.
According to Officer Lau, only three in ten puppies at Leo’s breeders, the Golden Opportunities for Independence, qualify for the canine police force. Officer Leo’s inclusion on the force was one of innovations Chief John Carmichael has brought to the NPD. Several neighboring communities, including Wellesley and Brookline, have also enrolled canines as community outreach officers.
As Officer Leo’s many fans can attest, he is a remarkable example of patience, tolerance, and endurance. Officers Justin Lau and Leo appear at a wide range of community events, most recently at Albemarle Field for the July 4th celebration. There Leo sat patiently as children and adults petted and hugged him. Leo is also a frequent guest at local schools, where students crowd around him.
Some of Leo’s assignments involve traumatic situations, such as confrontations involving children, where his presence offers comfort. Last year, when a grieving community gathered at the Horace Mann School after the homicide of three local family members, Officer Leo and another dog from the Brookline Police Department, were there offering their comforting presence.
What does Leo do in his off-duty time? Newton has several off-leash parks for dogs to exercise and play with other dogs. Officer Leo prefers the dog park on Lowell Avenue near Commonwealth Avenue, where he has a number of canine friends, among them Olive, a large, fluffy mixed breed who likes to chase him.
On August 6, the Newton Police Department will host its annual Police Night Out at Capt. John Ryan Park, next to the Newton Police Headquarters on Washington Street in West Newton. In addition to many food options from local restaurants, music, and kid-friendly play options, Officer Leo will be available for endless petting.
Noa Kelmer-Racin is a Fig City News intern and a rising sophomore at Princeton University.
