K9 Deputy CJ sworn in to Richland County Sheriff’s Department

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The Richland County Sheriff’s Department swore in its latest deputy this morning.

However, this deputy is unlike any of the others working under Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. First, becoming a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department requires weeks of training.

“We’ve got someone who did not go to 12 weeks of police academy,” said Sheriff Leon Lott. “Instead, they went to two years of training at PAALS [Palmetto Animal Assistance Life Service]. The newest member of our team is CJ.”

CJ was sworn in Tuesday morning as the newest member of RCSD. The canine officer will help with wellness and crisis intervention with both deputies and civilians.

“We know that the four-legged parts of our family mean a lot to us and they can help in a crisis,” the sheriff said. “We reached out to PAALS. They’ve been a great partner for us.”

The non-profit organization PAALS specializes in working with dogs when they are puppies so they are trained to help people with mobility, PTSD and other issues. 

“We started to realize there’s a need brewing in our community with mental health crises and the stress the people who serve us go through every single day,” said PAALS co-founder Jen Rogers. “Our dogs can help people in need and also have an incredible intuitive ability as well. It stood out to us that CJ wanted to help in that way as well.”

CJ will now join several other dogs who also assist law enforcement in our community every day. 

“Finding drugs. Finding missing people. Detecting bombs. Looking for hidden electronic devices that sex offenders have. You name it. We have a dog that can do it,” Lott said. “They’re probably one of the most valuable things we got. They’re part of our family… no different than the deputies. It’s about family and taking care of each other. I’ve already seen the magic CJ can work and it’s fantastic to have him part of our family.”