The Fairfield Police Department is proud to introduce the newest member of our Police K-9 Unit, K-9 Frankie! K-9 Frankie is a 20-month-old Labrador Retriever that specializes in the detection of hidden electronic digital storage media including cell phones, thumb drives, flash drives and computer hard drives. These devices often contain key evidence and crucial clues in the investigation of crimes against children, child pornography and sex trafficking cases.
K-9 Frankie is partnered with our Electronic Crimes Detective, Detective Brian Pereira, and assigned to the Investigations Bureau where Detective Pereira specializes in computer and cell phone forensics. Detective Pereira joined K-9 Frankie for two weeks of intensive handler training from Jordan Detection K-9 located in Indiana. Jordan Detection K-9 received national attention by locating the incriminating evidence in the Jared (Subway guy) Fogle case several years ago. This was one of the first cases utilizing a specially trained K-9 to detect hidden electronic evidence.
K-9 Frankie and Det. Pereira are the first team to deploy in the State of California that specializes in this unique search ability. The Fairfield Police Department was fortunate to receive K-9 Frankie through a generous donation made by Doterra Healing Hands Foundation through Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). Operation Underground Railroad in a group dedicated to rescuing children from sex trafficking through international efforts. To date, Operation Underground Railroad has assisted in the rescue of over 1,000 children and the prosecution of an estimated 435 suspected sex traffickers throughout the world.
Yesterday Detective Pereira and K-9 Frankie conducted their first search in California. During the execution of a search warrant, K-9 Frankie was successful in locating three pieces of electronic evidence. Great job K-9 Frankie and Det. Pereira, a welcome addition to the team at the Fairfield Police Department.
