UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State’s newest officer showed off his skills Thursday when he sniffed out simulated explosives hidden on campus. The 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, Wynne, is a Pennsylvania State Police Canine Unit graduate finishing his last week of training on the University Park campus before he officially becomes an officer with University Park’s police department.
“Wynne will be at football games and other major events,” said Matt White, Wynne’s handler. “We’ve spent the past 11 weeks traveling throughout the state, testing him.”
Some of Wynne’s final exams included working at the state capitol, the airport in Harrisburg and several other key structures around Pennsylvania. Once he completes his on-campus orientation, Wynne will work the same shifts as White but the two will be on call 24/7 in case of emergencies. Wynne isn’t just White’s partner; he’s his roommate. But White doesn’t mind — he signed up for the job. Having grown up with beagles himself, White jumped at the opportunity to be a police canine handler. After undergoing extensive testing, including physical agility, White was chosen by his department to handle Wynne.
Wynne came to Penn State for his 12th and final week of training before he officially joins the police department. He was brought onto campus to detect firearms and explosives. Pennsylvania State Police trooper David Lock, who trains dogs in the state’s Canine Unit, explained that since Sept. 11, 2001, the demand for these dogs in Pennsylvania alone has increased dramatically. A recent partnership created between the State Police’s Canine Unit and University Park’s Police Department has facilitated Wynne’s arrival on campus.
During the week of July 23 Wynne has toured various key buildings for training at University Park such as Old Main, the Bryce Jordan Center and the HUB-Robeson Center. He may look fairly laid back and at ease when at White’s side, but when it comes to his job, the four-legged officer is on point, taking each of White’s commands seriously. After almost 12 weeks, Wynne and White have figured each other out.
“It’s important that while we’re training, we are able to flow smoothly together,” said White. “Some dogs and their trainers don’t work well together.”
White and Wynne also have to stay fit and healthy. Wynne weighs 80 pounds and shouldn’t get much heavier. White said it’s important for canine officers and their handlers to stay in shape, a goal he thinks is attainable through games of fetch and going on long runs.
“Physical ability and agility are extremely important,” said Lock. “The job is very physical for the handler — they have to be able to keep up with the dog and work at the dog’s pace.”