Unique K-9 Officer Uses THIS Incredible Skill to Sniff Out Hidden Tech, Here's How?

Meet Zero, a highly intelligent Labrador and a very special member of the Grantsville City Police Department. Partnered with Detective Bobby Bassett, Zero has a unique and highly specialized skill: he can sniff out hidden technology. In fact, Zero is one of only three dogs in the entire state of Utah trained for this specific job.

How does a dog sniff out a hard drive? Zero is trained to detect a specific chemical compound found in most technological devices. Because of this, he can locate computers, cell phones, USB drives, cameras, GPS trackers, and AirTags. Incredibly, Zero only looks where his handler directs him, and he can sniff out these items whether they are powered on, turned off, buried, or even completely submerged in water.

Zero’s unique nose recently solved a chilling case involving a domestic violence victim. A seven-year-old boy staying at a local shelter told his mother that he heard a beep and thought his jacket had a "bomb" in it. After human investigators failed to locate anything, Zero was brought in and successfully sniffed out a tracking device secretly sewn directly into the child's coat by the suspect. Zero then searched the mother's car, finding a second tracker hidden under the trunk carpet. Finally, the victim requested a search of her storage unit, where Zero found a third device glued to the underside of a dresser drawer, leading to charges against the suspect.

Beyond domestic cases, the Grantsville City Police Department is proud to be a part of the UTAH ICAC Task force (Internet Crimes Against Children), where Detective Bassett and Zero serve as crucial members. They also work alongside the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security's Child Exploitation Taskforce to assist with cases far beyond Tooele County.

However, Zero does much more than just find evidence. Unlike many other police K-9s, he is also a fully trained therapy and service dog. Victim Advocate Delia Kirk explains that Zero is frequently brought into interviews to provide deep emotional support for children experiencing "the worst situation of your life". Because he can easily sense people's emotions, he acts as a vital comfort system during traumatic experiences.

Zero's impact stretches far beyond solving crimes, and the department is incredibly grateful that Zero was generously donated to them by the OUR Rescue organization. When he isn't working high-stakes cases, Zero loves wandering the police station for pets and attending local school events to interact with kids. The police department even offers his tech-sniffing services to the public, encouraging anyone who suspects they might have an unwanted tracker on their vehicle or a hidden camera in their belongings to reach out for Zero's help.

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