Crime & Safety
Needham PD Adds Community Resource Dog To Force
For the Needham Police Department, the dog days have just started and they're looking pretty cute.
![The department was able to bring the dog onto the force through funding from the Norfolk DA’s office.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23145323/20200127/120801/styles/patch_image/public/patch-stock-police-uniform-fernandez-1___27115539311.jpg)
NEEDHAM, MA — Needham Police Department welcomed a furry new recruit — a community resource dog. Needham was one of four departments to receive funding from the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office for the dog.
The Golden Retriever puppy was bred by Golden Opportunities for Independence in Walpole and will be trained with his handler in the department by the organization as well.
The pup's main job includes helping to de-escalate situations, engaging with vulnerable and withdrawn members of the community, interacting with community members suffering from mental health or stress issues, comforting victims and witnesses of violence and promote police-community engagement.
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