Union Police Department is welcoming a new furry face to their ranks as Officer Steve Robinson works to acclimate to his new K-9 partner, Tao.
The 3-year-old Tao, who is certified in both narcotics and apprehension, will take the place of Tammy, Robinson’s current partner who is retiring after serving nine years as UPD’s K-9 officer.
Although Tammy may be retiring from active police duty, Robinson said she will not be leaving Union. He said he has built a custom kennel in his backyard where the retired police dog will enjoy a life of comfort in the company of her human partner.
“She’ll live out the rest of her days with me,” he said.
Tammy may also be called upon from time to time to help out with presentations at Union Public Schools, Robinson added. Tao, being trained in apprehension, is not acclimated to being surrounded by children and young adults. In those situations, he said, Tammy would be brought out of retirement to fill in.
For the past three weeks, Robinson and Tao have been working together to become a team. Robinson said he has been taking Tao around town to meet people, learning the K-9’s mannerisms and developing the bond that forges human and dog into a strong K-9 team.
In a few days, the two will head to Hattiesburg, where Tao was trained, to take a certification exam which tests both dog and human’s ability to work together. After being certified, Tao will join Robinson as a full time officer for Union Police Department.
