Scooter, an electronic storage detection K9, joins the Nebraska State Patrol

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska State Patrol welcomed a new member with a unique talent to its team on Friday.

Scooter, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, is the only active police service dog in Nebraska trained in electronics storage detection.

The dogs are trained to detect a common chemical found in electronics, including video cameras, GPS trackers and other devices “commonly hidden by predators,” the patrol said.

“Scooter will be an incredible asset for our Technical Crimes Unit,” said Col. Bryan Waugh, the patrol’s superintendent.  “Our Tech Crimes investigators focus on some of the worst crimes imaginable, such as child exploitation cases. Scooter’s ability to detect electronic hardware enhances the team’s efforts to locate evidence, protect victims, and stop predators.”

ESD K9s are also trained as therapy dogs, so they can help comfort a child at the Child Advocacy Center while investigators conduct interviews.

“I am excited to work with Scooter and have her as a part of my family,” said Investigator Neal Trantham, Scooter’s handler. “I know that she will have a full career helping to keep kids safe in communities across Nebraska. She is happy to go to work each day, and you can tell that she will be a perfect fit in our Tech Crimes team.”

Scooter’s addition to the patrol’s tech crimes unit was funded by Our Rescue, a nonprofit working to fight sex trafficking and child exploitation across the world.