Police department program introduces K9 officer to community

In the West Valley City Police Department, a new officer has joined the force. He has the ability to sniff out danger and he stands tall in the fight against crime, even while standing only two feet tall and on four legs.

Talos, a narcotics K9 officer for the West Valley City Police Department, is quickly learning the ropes of his new beat. Officer Steve Beardshall, Talos’ trainer, couldn’t be more impressed with his new companion.

“As a K9 officer, he has to put himself out there in the line of danger every day,” Beardshall said. “He is very brave and does some truly priceless work for us.”

Talos, a 3-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever, was rescued from the West Valley Animal Shelter in April 2010. He has since been trained by the police department to be a certified narcotics detection dog.

The police department, in partnership with West Valley City and the Valley Fair Mall, has organized an opportunity for the community to meet Talos face to face and learn more about how they can help stay safe and prevent crime.

“2 with Talos” is an event held the second Saturday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. Talos, along with other police officers, will be located in the center court of Valley Fair Mall, located at 3601 South 2700 West.

“This is an opportunity for everyone in the community to come see just how great Talos is,” Beardshall said. “He interacts really well with people, and he likes meeting kids even more than they like meeting him.”

At the event, visitors will also receive a trading card with Talos’ picture, personally “paw”-tographed by the officer himself.

The 2 with Talos program began in October and has been a fun and informative event for all who have taken part. Along with Talos, there are other officers of the human variety who can help give information or answer questions about staying safe at home, neighborhood crime prevention, and even child ID kits.

“It is a free event and we would like to see as many people as possible,” Beardshall said. “It is great to be able to shake the paw of this K9 officer and learn more about ways that you can help him and us fight crime.”