The Wilmette Police Department recently welcomed a new member to its team: a dog named Gizmo. Gizmo is a rare breed of K-9 trained to detect electronics, one of only four in Illinois and about 100 in the nation with this specialty. The two-year-old Golden Retriever-Labrador mix arrived in June and is also qualified as a comfort dog, providing calm to those in stressful situations.
Sam Walker, a digital forensic analyst and Gizmo’s handler, shared the dog’s story. “My kids wanted a dog and it worked out pretty well,” Walker said. “I do a lot of digital forensics, so it was just a natural fit.” Originally bred and trained as a service dog, Gizmo did not complete the program due to leash pulling. However, he then joined the Jordan Detection K-9 Electronic Storage Detection program in Indianapolis, where he learned to identify chemical compounds found in electronics.
Following completion of the program, Walker also participated in a two-week handler certification course at the National Computer Forensic Institute in Alabama. He stated that Labradors are well-suited for detection tasks due to their robust sense of smell. Gizmo is capable of locating various electronics that store data, such as laptops, USB flash drives, and Micro SD cards.
The Jordan Detection agency’s website highlights the usefulness of electronics detection K-9s in law enforcement investigations including child exploitation, terrorism, and white-collar crime cases. Due to their advanced olfactory capabilities, these dogs help investigators recover electronic devices even if damaged or hidden, increasing data recovery success rates.
Wilmette Police Chief Michael Robinson explained, “Gizmo responds to a specific chemical scent used in electronic adhesives. He has already assisted neighboring police agencies in successful evidence recovery.” The United States Secret Service covered all related expenses for Gizmo’s acquisition and training, Walker’s training, and travel. The estimated annual maintenance, including food and care, costs the village about $2,400.
In addition to police work, Gizmo also assists as a comfort dog, easing stress and anxiety for officers and the public. Walker remarked, “If the social work department has someone who is nervous, I can bring Gizmo in to help them relax.” Throughout the year, the community will have opportunities to meet Gizmo at local events. Chief Robinson noted, “People are already asking ‘Where’s Gizmo?’ as he becomes an invaluable resource.”