Just in case students needed more comfort in their safety on campus, LSUPD has introduced its two newest K-9s — Jazz and Weeks.
Jazz and Weeks are Labradors known as “Vapor Wake” dogs. Vapor Wake dogs detect explosives and other substances through the atmosphere, even as the target is moving.
The idea of having Vapor Wake K-9s came from the University of Auburn, according to LSUPD Chief of Police Bart Thompson.
“They brought their dogs down during the 2018 Spring Game, and did a demonstration for us,” Thompson said. “Once we realized it could get funded, we went ahead and moved forward.”
The dogs’ first years were spent in a prison in Alabama, being maintained by the inmates. Being in the prison allowed the dogs to be comfortable walking around large crowds with loud noises. The inmates also had the opportunity of naming the newest K-9s. Weeks was named after one of the inmates who passed away in prison while the dogs were there.
Thompson said the officers were required to go through a seven-week training program to prepare the dogs for duty.
“During game day, they’ll be around our fans, around [Victory Hill] and in line with the fans waiting to go through the metal detectors,” Thompson said. “During school days, they’ll be in the [LSU Student] union, classroom buildings [and] the Quad.”
Thompson said Jazz and Weeks love to be petted even though they are constantly working. Vapor Wake dogs sniff the air, so it doesn’t seem like they are searching for explosives, but they are.
“Obviously everything gives off a scent,” Thompson said. “‘Dope’ dogs scent illegalnarcotics, whereas these dogs smell explosives.”
LSUPD currently has four dogs in their K-9 unit — which are all bomb explosive detecting dogs — and they don’t plan on getting more any time soon.
The other two dogs in the K-9 unit are static position dogs.
“We use them to search the locker rooms on game day,” Thompson said. “If you have a suspicious item in the courtyard, that’s what those dogs [would be] called for.”
The entire K-9 unit, which includes training and the K-9 vehicles, is funded by the Claude Pennington Tiger Athletic Foundation and the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation.
Thompson said having two more dogs added to LSUPD is “just another thing LSU and the police department are doing to keep the students, fans, faculty and staff safe.”

Gallery • 9 Photos

Lauren Watson

One of the new members of the LSU K-9 team sits for a photo outside the LSU Parking and Transportation building on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018.