Another police department goes golden to help build ties with community

WELLESLEY, Mass. — She goes to school. She’s got a job. Winnie, the newest member of the Wellesley Police Department, is one busy pup. So yes... she does nap a lot. But the English Cream Golden Retriever is wide awake when critical situations arise.

“A dog can really help us when we’re dealing with people who are in fear, people with high anxiety, people who might have a mental illness,” said Chief Jack Pilecki. “Winnie can really break down some barriers between the police officer and the citizen the officer is trying to assist.”

Winnie joined Wellesley’s force thanks to the efforts of Officer Tana DiCenso -- who saw, in Winnie, an opportunity to make stronger connections with residents.

“We would just love to keep that positive relationship with the community and remind people that we are here to help -- to try to make positive change,” DiCenso said. “And be there for people when they need us, especially in those harder moments where you don’t anticipate needing police assistance.”

In the couple of weeks Winnie’s been working with DiCenso, she’s already had an impact on a couple of domestic situations.

“Instead of just seeing me walk in with a uniform, having her next to me kind of softens that image and allows people to relate to me more as a person,” DiCenso said.

Wellesley is just the latest police department to add a Community Resource Dog.

The first to do so was Walpole, when Rebel, also a Golden Retriever, joined the force last year -- at the urging of Officer Tommy Hart.

“I saw the way people reacted when they see dogs,” Hart said. “Maybe this could kind of, you know, lessen the barriers that can sometimes be there between police officers and the community.”

Hart brought the idea to Chief John Carmichael.

“At first, it was like, a dog in policing... what does it do... sniff for drugs, look for missing people. What does it do?” he said. “With community policing, we’re always looking for ways to engage the community. This is one more way and it took off.”

Hart and Rebel have become a common sight together in town. And they’ve been through a lot together.

“She helped some students who were reluctant to leave their houses and go to school,” Hart said. “She helped a student coming back from a hospitalization go back to class. We had a young boy in the community who lost one of his parents and Rebel and I came over to comfort the boy and kind of work through the whole situation.”

“It’s absolutely amazing to see the impact and how quickly Officer Hart and Rebel can come into a situation and just calm it down,” Carmichael said. “I’ve witnessed that happen. It’s quite remarkable.”

And it’s needed more than ever, Carmichael said, both in and out of the station.

“Police officers right now... they’re going through a difficult time,” Carmichael said. “They’re struggling with the job. Trying to understand all the things that we’re seeing happening across the country. Just having Rebel at the station helps comfort us.”

Shortly after Walpole got Rebel, the Brookline Police Department acquired Bear, a burly Golden Retriever who’s even got a dedicated cruiser with his name on the side.

“He helps us start those conversations in the community,” said Officer Katie McCabe. “People will just come up to us, want to talk with us, want to pet Bear.”

Bear is also training and working on search-and-rescue missions involving autistic children and Alzheimer’s patients.

“You see him, you just want to pet him and smile,” McCabe said. “It’s worked out amazing.”

Bear, Rebel, and Winnie all received training at Golden Opportunities for Independence in Walpole, where owner Pauline Hoegler breeds and trains Golden Retrievers for various service positions.

Specifically, she breeds English Cream Goldens, which have whiter coats.

“The English-type Golden Retrievers have a much more laid back temperament than really any other dog I’m aware of,” Hoegler said. “It’s not just that they’re smart... they’re willing partners. And they’re easy to train. And they love people.”

And it’s hard not to love them back. Goldens are not only blessed with a mild, friendly disposition -- but a facial expression which suggests a near-constant smile.

“So everything about this dog is geared towards what the police are trying to do right now,” Hoegler said.

Which is to build good relationships with their communities.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would grow to what it is today,” Hart said. “But I think it’s something that every department and community should look into.”

Cox Media Group