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The Towson University Police Department's newest recruit is very playful. He walks on all fours and has a nose for the job.
His name is Fillmore. He's a black Labrador and the third canine to join the force at the University. Born in May 2007, the young pup has been in training at the Baltimore County K-9 Academy for a specialty in drug detection.
The decision to recruit a canine was made in July, when TUPD chief of police Bernie Gerst and captain Joe Herring visited the Lab Rescue of the Labrador Retriever Club of Potomac.
After meeting a set of qualifications, which included determining how "fetch driven" Fillmore is, or rather how playful and apt he is for search and retrieval, the Labrador met his future owner and handler, TUPD corporal Andrew Cline.
"He lives with me, 24 hours-a day, seven days a week," Cline said, while petting his new companion. "I see him more than I see my wife. He's with me all the time.
"He's got a little bit of separation anxiety. When I'm away he barks a little bit… He's getting better at it; he used to bark like a maniac."
Whenever Cline goes for a ride, whether it is in the department issue Dodge Durango or his personal car, Fillmore is along for the ride.
"Whenever I leave to go into the other room, he follows me. He's almost like a little bodyguard," Cline said. "He doesn't like to be alone as of yet. As he gets older I'm sure he'll be more secure."
Typically, Labradors are selected for either drug or bomb detection-specific police work because they are natural hunters with high energy, according to Cline. The University has had two other canines, both German Shepherds, who have since retired.
With Fillmore donning the TUPD badge, his presence alone will have an effect on campus, according to Cline.
"The biggest thing, right off the bat, is that people knowing he's here is a deterrence," he said. "His specialty is drugs and that's what he's going to be used for… If a person uses drugs and they hear we have a drug dog they would think again about bringing drugs to the campus." Fillmore was named before his adoption, so the TUPD decided to keep the name so as not to confuse him during training when given commands. At the academy he's been given the nickname, "Dr. Phil," because he will be put to work on a college campus.
The six to eight week program began with walking Fillmore around in a neighborhood, something Cline said was easier said than done because of the trainee's high energy level. Next came basic obedience training which Fillmore has been progressing every day. "The breed is not as disciplined as a German Shepherd… he sort of struggles sometimes when it comes to obedience," Cline said. The latest portion of his training has revolved around drug detection. Using Fillmore's favorite toy, a tennis ball, his trainers subject him to repeated exposure to the ball, with the smell of a drug lingering in a plastic container. Eventually, the tennis ball is removed and only the smell remains. When Fillmore detects the drug smell he is reassured and given the tennis ball as a reward. Praise is the key when training dogs, Cline, a self-proclaimed dog person, said.
"I've grown up around dogs my whole life… my parents had three dogs. I'm used to them, taking care of them," Cline said.
"You have to have a good bond with the dog because if you don't he's not going to work with you and he's not going to find the drugs."
From Cline's appearance, an athletic, well-built man of the law, his baby-talk praising of Fillmore is something he laughs at himself.
"He's very well behaved… my wife is really falling in love with the dog. He's become like part of the family. She baby talks him and kisses him goodnight every night," he said, after giving an example of his own praise.
To be selected for the position, Cline had to submit an essay of qualifications and reasons for wanting the job, including past experience with dogs and law enforcement. He also had to be physically fit enough to handle the training that he performs along with Fillmore. He is slated to graduate the first week of November and will be immediately put to work for the 4 p.m. to midnight shift at the University.
If all else fails, and it is looking as if it will not, Cline said Fillmore is extremely well potty-trained. He's never had an accident in the house.
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