Newton Police Officer Leo, the department's golden retriever, reached his fifth year of crisis-response work this month.
The English cream golden retriever's name stands for "Law Enforcement Officer." His handler, Newton Police Officer Justin Lau, has been his partner since 2021, when the pair trained together at Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI), a Walpole nonprofit that breeds and trains service dogs for police departments across Massachusetts.
Fig City News first reported on the five-year milestone on Sunday, Aug. 23.
From puppy to first responder
Leo's training began with six months of intensive work at GOFI's Walpole facility. Lau and other officers trained with their canine partners Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Sessions ran 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., focused on obedience and public behavior. Leo hit a rough patch during his "teen" phase between eight and 12 months old, when dogs can regress, but settled down after turning one.
One of Leo's earliest calls showed what the program could do. Shortly after joining the force, Lau and Leo were leaving Newtonville Village Day when a radio alert reported a woman in mental health crisis. When they arrived, the woman was crying uncontrollably and could not explain what was wrong. Lau asked if she liked dogs. She said yes. He brought Leo over, and the puppy's presence calmed her enough to speak with Lau and get help.
"That was the first incident [where] I could really see how beneficial this program would be to Newton," Lau told Fig City News.
In a more recent case, an elementary-school-aged student had barricaded herself behind a large table at her school while holding scissors. After Lau took the scissors, he brought Leo in. The dog crawled under the table, where the child gave him treats. Lau coaxed her out by asking if she'd like to walk Leo around the school.
According to Fig City News, Leo also provided comfort at Newton North High School after senior Dylan Neman was killed in a 2022 car crash. School staff requested service dogs, and Leo was stationed in a counselor's office with Lau, ready to help grieving students.
Not your typical police K-9
Unlike drug- or suspect-tracking dogs, Leo is trained in search-and-rescue scent work focused solely on finding lost people, particularly children. His day-to-day role centers on school visits, community events and crisis response.
The program was approved under then-Chief John Carmichael Jr., who had started a similar initiative as Walpole police chief. Lau had researched the idea for years before it became reality and was selected from a group of officers who applied.
When Lau visited the GOFI facility to meet potential partners, Leo was the fastest puppy to run over when called.
Five more years?
Leo's expected retirement is around age 10, roughly five years from now. Lau said he plans to adopt Leo when that day comes.
"I would love to adopt him … I'm basically his dog dad," Lau told Fig City News.
He added that he would want to continue the program with a successor dog. Off duty, Leo enjoys romps with other dogs at Claflin Park and chest rubs at home. His favorite toy is a stuffed squirrel that has lost some of its stuffing.
