Charlie, the UC Davis Police Department’s first outreach and explosives-detection dog, is retiring after a 10-year career in which he played a key role in changing how the agency interacts with the campus community. 

“The dog – he’s changed connections for us,” Police Chief Joe Farrow said. “He bridges that gap between law enforcement and community.”

Charlie, a black Labrador retriever, turned 13 years old on the same day last month that members of the UC Davis Police Department gathered in a courtyard to send him off for a relaxing life at home with his handler, Core Officer Tabbasum “Tabby” Malik ’19.

“He’s getting old and we can get him the retired life he needs,” Malik said, noting Charlie’s arthritis. Charlie retired from explosives-detection duties in 2021, focusing solely on playing and posing for photos with students, faculty and staff.

In his earlier years with the department, he served as a member of the Yolo County Bomb Squad and helped sweep for explosives before visits by President Bill Clinton and other high-profile guests, and responded to a report of a suspicious device in Mrak Hall. But most will remember him for casual interactions at football games, student-welcome events, or just while walking through the Coffee House.

“He’s a community dog,” Malik said, recalling when a circle of people formed around Charlie at Davis Fest, a fall welcome event for students. Charlie had a toy and was bringing it to one person after another in the circle while Malik just stood back and watched, the officer said.

Sgt. Vincent Kwong, who served for seven years as Charlie’s handler before being promoted to a new role, recalled their time together on campus and in explosives-detection competitions around California and Nevada.

“My favorite memory is how he would snap to attention at the word ‘ball’ or ‘toy,’ even when he was asleep, and do his signature bunny hops and propped up ears, excited for playtime,” Kwong said.

Kwong and Charlie still play together when they see each other at the station, Malik said.

Charlie was one of one of several steps the police department has taken over the years to improve relationships with the campus community and to become more approachable. The four-person Core Program consists of sworn officers who mostly dress in casual outfits rather than traditional police uniforms, which a 2021 report said can be seen as intimidating. And the police department now employs more students and non-sworn employees who do things like direct traffic and take reports in a policy of tiered response.

Farrow recalled that when Charlie came to the department, other police chiefs expressed doubt that having a dog focused on outreach could have an impact. UC Davis’ last dog before Charlie was a more traditional apprehension and explosives-sniffing dog who retired in 2009.

Two other Core Officers now also work with dogs on campus — Cali and Leia — who are both being trained to recognize and respond to situations of high stress or post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I know how special these dogs are,” said Core Officer Joe Connors, the new handler of Leia, a mix between a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle.

Connors said Charlie once helped him through a stressful situation by providing some calming companionship, and he hopes Leia can do the same. He said students, faculty and staff can request a visit by emailing the Core Program or calling the police department’s non-emergency line: 530-752-1727. 

“When our cup runs over, she can help,” Connors said, noting that the humans of the department can also provide assistance: He has been trained in crisis intervention and is involved with the California chapter of the National Association on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Farrow currently serves as vice president of that organization’s board of directors.

Filling out the department’s K-9 ranks is Cali, a Labrador retriever who joined campus last year with Core Officer Robert Sotelo.

After that initial doubt, others are following UC Davis’ lead. The UC San Diego Police Department got its first therapy dog, Sandi, earlier this year and is planning to get a second soon. The UC Irvine Police Department has two explosives-detection dogs, complete with a website including information about how to ask to pet them.

Connors said the department has embraced its role in trying new things.

“We’re not afraid of being out in front and going for the change,” he said. “It works. … Our relationship has really grown with our students.”