The UWPD has a new officer on the force.

Kali, a two-and-a-half-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever that has been specially trained to sniff out bombs and explosives, was sworn in last week.

She will be working with Officer Kenneth Johns to respond to bomb threats and perform security sweeps at major campus events.

Kali was acquired because of a growing need to tighten security on campus and at UW events.

The UWPD used to have to rent bomb-detection dogs for stadium events like football games and commencement and when dignitaries visited campus, but — due to the high demand — these dogs would often be unavailable.

This led the UWPD to apply for a federal grant to train their own canine officer.

The grant ended up paying for a dog, as well as training and equipment. The grant also covered handler training for Johns.

Johns, who has been with the UWPD for four years, applied for this responsibility knowing it would be fairly demanding.

"This isn't just a dog," he said. "It's a lot of training and a lot of commitment. I stepped up because this is a great way to do my job."

After selecting Johns, the UWPD looked at eight different dogs.

These canine candidates were given 13 different tests for "stable characteristics."

Kali passed all 13.

"I ended up choosing Kali," Johns said. "Not all dogs could make it through. Some were too high-strung. I saw some other dogs at the Academy I definitely wouldn't want to take home."

The training itself was a major commitment as well, Johns said.

"It was stressful," he said. "I had to make it through and she had to make it through."

On Nov. 6, Johns and Kali were shipped off to Shelton, Wash. to complete 400 hours of bomb detection school.

Training involved teaching Kali to recognize odors and teaching Johns how to "read the dog."

Kali was given tasks of sniffing out hidden packages. When she performed her tasks correctly, she was rewarded with her favorite tennis ball toy.

Meanwhile, Johns was taught how to communicate with Kali using sounds dogs are receptive to and how to handle her while she's on the job and off.

Kali and Johns both graduated Feb. 4.

In addition to completing training alongside Kali and being her primary handler, Johns is also responsible for taking care of her.

Kali lives with Johns and rides with him to and from work every day. Johns must also be prepared to answer very short notice calls from the UWPD if they need to call their canine officer into action.

"I've had dogs since I was a kid and I have a dog at home, so I know the day-in and day-out experience of having a pet," said Johns. "But Kali is not a pet. She's a working animal. I had to learn a lot about dogs for this."

Johns said that although Kali has to receive special treatment and can't be treated like an ordinary pet, she still makes good company.

"She's a sweetheart dog," he said.

Kali has yet to have her first assignment and is still somewhat in the training part of her career.

She will have the job of doing the security sweep of Husky Stadium before commencement this spring.

According to Johns, Kali will potentially be able to serve the UWPD for most of her young life.

"She'll probably be good for about five or six years," Johns said. "Then she gets to retire to being a pet."

Johns will likely keep Kali after her retirement. Until then, Kali can look forward to a decent career on the force.

"She's a worker," Johns said. "She loves doing it."

Reach reporter Siv Prince at news@thedaily.washington.edu.