Meet Benji: Saraland Police Puppy Begins Training to Comfort Crime Victims

SARALAND, Ala. — The newest member of the Saraland Police Department is just eight weeks old, covered in fluffy fur and already the most popular officer in town. Saraland police puppy Benji, an Australian Labradoodle, has joined the department as a community support and victim advocate dog, and he is beginning roughly two years of training to help comfort people during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Police Chief Bryson McDaniel said the response to the pup has been overwhelming.

“He’s the talk of the town right now, that’s for sure,” McDaniel said, smiling.

A puppy with a serious job

Benji’s main role is to support crime victims. People who have been through a traumatic experience often struggle to talk about it, whether with an officer taking a report, an investigator conducting an interview or an advocate helping them navigate what comes next. A calm, friendly dog can make those conversations easier.

“Victims of crime sometimes have difficulty in telling their story. We’re hoping if we bring Benji in, he will provide comfort and support in difficult times for them to help tell their story,” McDaniel said.

Beyond working with victims, Benji will also spend time out in the community, at the department’s offices and at the city’s dispatch center. Whether he is at a scene or simply sitting in the office, the chief said, his job is to brighten people’s day, including those of officers and dispatchers who deal with stressful calls every shift.

Training starts with the vest

Benji trains every day, and each session begins the same way: by putting on his small work vest. The vest is a signal to Benji, and to the people around him, that he is on duty.

“When the vest is on, he’s at work. When the vest comes off at night, he’s just a regular puppy,” McDaniel said.

Part of that training is learning good manners around the many people who want to meet him. Most people’s first instinct is to reach down and pet him, but Benji has to sit first.

“That’s part of his training, so he knows he can’t jump on people to get attention,” the chief explained.

That kind of consistency is important for a dog who will eventually work with people who are upset, frightened or grieving. A support dog needs to stay calm, wait patiently and let people approach him on their own terms. McDaniel said Benji has about two years of training ahead before he is fully prepared for that work.

How to greet a working dog

Because Benji is still a puppy, the habits he forms now will shape how he behaves for years. Residents can help by following a few common courtesies that apply to most working and service dogs:

• Ask the handler before approaching or petting the dog.
• Let the dog settle or sit before reaching out, and avoid encouraging jumping.
• Do not offer food or treats unless the handler says it is OK.
• Give the dog space if the handler says it is working or needs a break.

Those simple steps reinforce what Benji is learning every day and help make sure he will be ready to stay calm and attentive when someone truly needs him.

Why an Australian Labradoodle

Australian Labradoodles are a mix that traces back to efforts in Australia to breed dogs with the gentle, people-focused temperament of a Labrador retriever and the low-shedding coat of a poodle. The breed is known for being friendly, social and eager to please, which has made Labradoodles popular choices for therapy and assistance work. Their coats can also be easier on people with allergies, an advantage for a dog that will meet many members of the public.

Comfort dogs in law enforcement

Saraland is part of a growing number of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices and advocacy centers that have added comfort or facility dogs. These dogs are trained to remain calm in stressful settings and are used to support victims, witnesses and children during interviews and court proceedings. Many agencies also use them in community outreach, school visits and events, where they give residents a friendly reason to meet officers.

Supporters of such programs say a dog’s presence can lower stress, help people feel safe and build trust between police and the community. Departments also find the dogs can lift morale among officers and dispatchers who regularly handle traumatic calls.

So far, Benji seems to be a natural at that part of the job.

“Everybody loves him,” McDaniel said with a laugh. “He’s definitely the most popular guy in town right now.”

About Saraland and help for crime victims

Saraland is a city of about 16,000 residents in northern Mobile County, along Interstate 65 and U.S. 43, north of Mobile and Chickasaw. The city operates its own police department and its own school system, Saraland City Schools.

For crime victims in Alabama, help is available beyond the support Benji will one day provide. The Alabama Crime Victims’ Compensation Commission can help eligible victims with certain expenses resulting from violent crime, and local victim service officers and advocates can help people understand the criminal justice process. Anyone experiencing domestic violence can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day at 1-800-799-7233. In an emergency, always call 911.

Residents with questions about victim services in Saraland can contact the Saraland Police Department.