Sure, their human counterparts might be in the news more often, but that doesn’t mean that the canine members of the Massachusetts State Police aren’t always working (and woofing) away. Some of the dogs’ tasks include finding missing people, searching for evidence, and detecting accelerant and explosives, state police spokersperson Dave Procopio told Boston.com.

“The dog lives with the handler and his family, who care for the dog as they would any other pet,’’ Procopio said. “Handlers and their canines share a very strong, very unique bond. These dogs are heroes like any other law enforcement professional.’’


So, in honor of these intrepid pooches, here they are, along with some essential facts about their important work.

Flash:

Police dogs, like police humans, also need downtime.

Charbo:

This picture is misleading: Police dogs are not actually allowed to drive police cruisers, because police dogs lack opposable thumbs.

Heiko:

Is it safe to say no police dog has ever been the subject of an internal investigation conducted by the state police? “Yes,’’ Procopio said. “Safe to say.’’

Axel:

Police dogs wear vests, too.

Cayman:

Police dogs also appreciate backlighting.

Aengus:

Police dogs do not have their own firearms—or arms. They only have legs.

Diego:

Not pictured: the treat.

Jager:

Police dogs also had to live through our snowy and horrible winter.

Drago:

Police dogs stand firm.

Echo:

Nope, they still can’t drive, still no thumbs.

Nanuk:

Police dogs also can’t drive boats.

Jari:

The minimum standard running time for a police officer is 1.5 miles in about 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Police dogs can probably run faster.

Neko:

Sometimes police dogs get caught on camera when they think no one’s looking.

Sasha:

Sasha, we told you a million times: Police dogs can’t drive cars.

Scully:

Police dogs are sassy!!!


Daisy:

Police dogs sometimes ride in the backseat.

Tippett:

No police dogs were harmed in the making of this article.