Electronics detection dog sniffs out evidence for police's internet child exploitation unit

Western Canada's first electronic storage device detection dog has been helping Winnipeg police investigators with the internet child exploitation unit since June by sniffing out possible evidence.

Willow, a Labrador retriever, is specially trained to detect chemical compounds found in all electronic devices, including laptop computers, cellphones and memory cards.

She found several digital storage devices during a warrant search at a home in Osborne Village last week. The search was initiated after child sexual abuse images were uploaded to a social media platform, police said in a Tuesday release.

A man, 31, was arrested and charged with several offences related to child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Police seized the devices, which have been submitted for further analysis, the release says.

Willow is able to locate devices her team might otherwise miss, says her handler, Sgt. Kerrie Webb.

"She definitely has an impact on our warrants," Webb said. "She finds things that we likely would not have found. And typically what our suspects most don't want us to find is what she's capable of finding in the hidden, small spaces."

She says Willow has accompanied the internet child exploitation unit on about 10 warrants. She has also helped with warrants for the counter exploitation unit, organized crime unit, and even the RCMP.

Willow is the first electronic storage device detection dog in Western Canada, Webb says.

"They're not that common in Canada yet, but I foresee that they will become quite common in the near future," she said.

Our Rescue, a U.S.-based anti-sex trafficking organization, donated Willow to the Winnipeg Police Service in June.

She is also a certified comfort dog — a "dual-purpose canine" that can provide emotional support to her colleagues and members of the public who might be victims of crime, Webb said.

"On a daily basis, what my team has to see, hear, read, it definitely can take a toll on their mental health, so it's nice just having her in the office for us," she said.

Willow is also trained to sit with victims of crime while they provide statements, laying her head on their lap and cuddling when needed. She can even attend court if requested, Webb says.

"She's been a great addition. She definitely brings joy to our office every single day — but not only our office, the service as a whole," she said.

"She's just a sweet soul."