El Dorado County, Calif. – The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office introduced a new member to its High‑Tech Crimes Unit on Thursday: a specially trained detection dog named Cooper. The four‑legged officer is equipped to sniff out the chemical compounds used in electronic components, allowing investigators to locate hidden or submerged devices that might otherwise be missed during a search.
How Cooper Supports Investigations
Cooper’s primary role will be to assist detectives handling crimes against children, child exploitation and human trafficking. In any case where electronic evidence is suspected to be concealed – whether in a wall cavity, a vehicle, or even underwater – the dog can pinpoint the exact location, saving time and increasing the likelihood of securing critical digital evidence.
Detective Cuddeback, who will serve as Cooper’s handler, explained that the partnership between dog and officer provides a “new tool” for the unit. The High‑Tech Crimes Unit already focuses on digital forensics, and Cooper’s ability to detect hidden electronics adds a physical‑search dimension that complements traditional computer‑forensic techniques.
Training and Certification
Cooper and Detective Cuddeback completed an intensive, multi‑week training program with Jordan Detection K9 at the U.S. Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute in Alabama. The program, led by retired firefighter and investigator Todd Jordan, teaches both the dog and handler how to identify the specific chemical signatures of electronic parts and how to work safely in a variety of environments.
Todd Jordan is also known for his involvement in the investigation that led to the arrest of former Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle. Today, he trains electronic‑detection K9 teams for law‑enforcement agencies across the United States.
National Recognition
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was one of 14 agencies nationwide selected to receive an Electronics Storage Detection (ESD) K9. Selection was based on the department’s demonstrated commitment to combating online predators, child exploitation and human trafficking, as well as its track record in digital‑evidence investigations.
The United States Secret Service awarded Cooper to the department, and the Sheriff’s Office publicly thanked the Secret Service, the Sacramento Field Office, the National Computer Forensics Institute and Jordan Detection K9 for their support in bringing the new resource to the county.
Community Impact
Local officials emphasized that Cooper’s addition strengthens the county’s ability to protect vulnerable residents, especially children, from digital predators. “We’re excited to have Cooper part of the team,” the Sheriff’s Office said in an online post, noting that the dog’s capabilities will enhance ongoing investigations and help bring perpetrators to justice more efficiently.
Residents can expect the unit to continue its focus on safeguarding families and upholding the rule of law, with Cooper serving as a tangible example of innovative law‑enforcement tools being deployed at the local level.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
