The Kill Devil Hills Police Department announced on Thursday the addition of a highly trained and specialized member to its Criminal Investigation Division — a black Labrador Retriever named Sailor.
Sailor was trained in Indianapolis to detect hidden electronic devices and will assist a couple of statewide task forces in North Carolina in addition to her Outer Banks assignment. Police said her unique skills will be used to find hidden electronics such as hard drives, cell phones, SD cards, hidden cameras and GPS tracking devices.
“These tools are critical in the fight against internet crimes against children, human trafficking, and other offenses where digital evidence is often concealed,” the department said in an official statement.
And Sailor is more than just a uniformed K-9. The rescued pooch will also perform as a service dog for children, crime victims, witnesses or other members of the community, the department said. Authorities hope she can help build trust between law enforcement and the public.
Sailor becomes the ninth certified K-9 that can detect electronic devices in North Carolina, which the department said makes her a “rare and valuable asset.”
Sailor, the newest addition to the Kill Devil Hills Police Department. (Courtesy of Melissa Mattingly with Duke Dog Photography via the Kill Devil Hills Police Department)

