Four-legged cop joins Ontario police force to help sniff out child predators

Most police dogs are trained to sniff out drugs, explosives or missing people.

Halton Regional Police’s newest K9 has a very different assignment.

Meet Cache (pronounced “Cash”), a Labrador retriever specially trained to detect hidden electronic storage devices that could contain critical evidence in child exploitation and human trafficking investigations.

One of only nine Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) dogs in Canada, Cache can locate everything from cellphones, tablets and hard drives to USB sticks, memory cards and even tiny microSD cards no larger than a fingernail.

The specialized K9 has been working with the Halton Regional Police Service since March and is already helping investigators uncover concealed digital evidence that might otherwise go unnoticed during search warrants and vehicle searches.

“Cache is our newest K9 police dog, trained in the emerging role of Electronic Storage Detection,” Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner said.

“She is one of only nine dogs of her kind in Canada, specially trained to locate any device that stores data…equipment that is commonly used to store incriminating evidence that can be discreetly hidden,” said Tanner.

Cache is assigned to the service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit, where her work supports investigations involving child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Investigators say suspects often go to great lengths to conceal electronic devices containing evidence, hiding them inside walls, furniture, clothing or other unlikely places. Thanks to her specialized training and extraordinary sense of smell, Cache can detect the unique chemical compounds found in electronic storage devices—even when they’re carefully hidden.

“She can find anything that stores data, all of which are commonly found with incriminating evidence during search warrants on cases of child exploitation,” said Cache’s handler, Detective Constable Stephane Verreault. “With Cache’s specialized training and her superior sense of smell, she’s able to find even the smallest electronic devices hidden in unlikely places.”

Cache was initially selected and trained over five months by Jordan Detection K9 in Indianapolis before being donated to Halton police by OUR Rescue, a non-profit organization focused on combating child sexual exploitation and human trafficking around the world.

Beyond helping investigators collect evidence, Cache also serves another important role that sets her apart from many police dogs.

She has been trained to provide comfort and emotional support to victims of crime, their families and even officers working on emotionally difficult investigations.

“Normally, you shouldn’t pet a police canine, but this is one of those rare cases where you actually can,” Verreault said.

Deputy Chief Jeff Hill said Cache has already proven her value since becoming operational earlier this year.

“Her specialized abilities have proven to be a significant resource that will enhance and strengthen the overall effectiveness of our investigative operations,” Hill said.

Unlike many working police dogs that are rewarded with toys, Cache is food motivated and earns her meals by successfully locating hidden electronic devices during daily training exercises.

Tanner said the newest member of the Halton police K9 unit represents how technology and specialized policing continue to evolve.

“Cache is another example of how we are constantly discovering innovative solutions that catapult us into the future of policing,” Tanner said, adding that her work will help investigators bring dangerous offenders to justice while protecting some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

Cache is our newest K9 police dog, trained in the emerging role of Electronic Storage Detection.

She is one of only nine dogs of her kind in Canada, specially trained to locate any device that stores data – from hard drives and USBs, to micro SD cards; equipment that is… pic.twitter.com/AILh0xhSUA

— Chief Steve Tanner (@ChiefTanner) June 26, 2026