K-9 Konundrum

Did you know that the term, "cop", used in reference to an officer of the law, originated because the badges worn by the police during the late 1800s were made of copper metal?

I stood outside the Safehouse, my longtime place of work, and a facility designed like a residential home tucked somewhat neatly into suburbia used at times as temporary housing for individuals experiencing mental health crisis, discussing the current situation with several officers from two different local police departments, each responding to the 911 call. A guest, staying at the Safehouse for an extended period, had recently eloped from the building and was missing.

While my colleagues and I at the Crisis Team operated things at the Safehouse, sometimes it was used in a "bricks and mortar" fashion, where a local Adult Family Home (AFH), or perhaps a residential Agency, would utilize the Safehouse as a building - and have their own staff on-site to provide services for the guest. Basically renting one of the three levels of this high-security home.

My teammates and I were alerted by an AFH using the Safehouse (as bricks and mortar) at the time, that their staff had not noticed the guest staying there had taken his keys and escaped the building (magnetic perimeter locks are installed), and arrived on scene to help manage the situation. Police were called right away, as the guest in question was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and was known to exhibit challenging behaviors at times. Multiple police vehicles rolled up the concrete driveway, including the K-9 unit.

The sun glistened off of the copper fastenings that held the canvas K-9 unit vest together as the lanky German Shepherd stepped down out of the black and white police van. Officers requested clothing worn recently by the individual, and a small heap of wrinkly t-shirts and sweat pants were set out for the police dog to sniff. After several smart inhalations, the dog raised it's head and looked about, then ran off into the backyard followed by his human counterparts.

Within about 45 minutes, the police returned, with the individual in the back seat of one of the squad cars. Officers reported that the K-9 officer had tracked the Safehouse guest to a nearby convenience store, where they found him hiding inside one of the closed dumpsters out back. Fortunately no injuries were reported and no one was hurt. It was fascinating to see these heightened senses on display, and a relief that such rescue services were available! When individuals trained in the field of mental health work alongside law enforcement to handle issues involving individuals diagnosed with neurological differences, it can be very helpful in translating behaviors that could otherwise be easily misinterpreted.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to email me at jeff.rumbaugh@thetranslation-bc.com. Thanks for tuning in and stay REAL!! Jeff 🫶🏼

"Sometimes all it takes is a good translator."