The Thunder Bay Police Service is pleased to introduce a recent addition — Trace.
Trace is an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) canine and is a member of the Cyber Crime Unit, working alongside handler Det./Cst. Joel Manherz. He is trained to identify the scent of Triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO), which is a chemical used in electronic storage devices and any device used to send or receive data.
Trace is able to detect devices such as cell phones, USBs, SIM cards, air tags, hard drives and hidden cameras, whether they are hidden under a rug, in a fridge, in a closet, or otherwise concealed.
Trace is a two-year-old American black lab who was acquired through Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). Trace graduated from the initial training course in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Det./Cst. Manherz spent two weeks working with him earlier this year.
Trace has already been involved in executing multiple search warrants, and has found electronic devices that had not been discovered during the initial searches.
The Thunder Bay Police Service is the third law enforcement agency in Canada to have an ESD canine.
More information about Operation Underground Railroad can be found here: https://ourrescue.org/