Camden County Police now has its first female officer handling canines in the city’s history. Officer Gabrielle Camacho has worked as a Camden County Police officer for more than two years and is currently in the K9 Academy. She’ll now be joined everyday by Peyton, a Golden Labrador.
“They’re way more smarter, they smell better, see things better than any human.” Officer Camacho told Eyewitness News.
Peyton is being trained in narcotics detection, but will also be used for community outreach including in grade schools.
Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson said the department has struggled with recruiting and retaining female police officers in the past. According to a spokesman, of the department’s 372 officers, 46 are female. The department also has eight canines, which will now be outfitted with protective body armor dog vests thanks to a donation from the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey. – READ MORE
