By Sara B. Hansen / NewsBreak Denver
(Denver, Colo.) The Colorado State Patrol takes guarding the State Capitol seriously.
On Monday, the Patrol announced Oly and Scout, a pair of German shorthair pointers, will put their noses to the grindstone to sniff out potential explosives, firearms, or shell casings.
Although the Patrol has used narcotics detection dogs for some time, Oly and Scout are a new resource.
Although the dogs primarily will patrol the Colorado State Capitol complex, they also will travel around the state to provide security and investigative help as needed.
"Ensuring the highest levels of security for visitors and employees at the Capitol is of the utmost concern for our troopers and security personnel," said Colonel Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.
“These working dogs are incredibly skillful and they will bring an immediate difference in our safety goals.”
The dogs are from Hungary and were required to complete a background check to ensure they could be trained and were healthy.
Together with their handlers, Troopers Rob Hampton and Crystal Crenshaw, the dogs completed and passed several weeks of training.
Capitol security
The dogs and their handlers are among 40 full-time staff members who provide security at the Capitol complex.
In November, Gov. Jared Polis asked the state legislature to approve $4.5 million in new spending to hire 29 additional staff members.
Polis and Department of Public Safety Director Stan Hikey said the additional staff is needed to provide security due to "protests, civil unrest and threats towards Capitol Complex occupants."
Meet the dogs
- Name: Oly
- Birthday: 7/05/2020
- Joined CSP: July 2021
- Certified to detect: Explosives, guns, shell casings
- Favorite toy: Kong® Wubba
- Favorite treat: Cheese
- Name: Scout
- Birthday: 7/27/2020
- Joined CSP: July 2021
- Certified to detect: Explosives, Guns, Shell Casings
- Favorite toy: Kong® Wubba
- Favorite treat: Hot Dogs
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