FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)-- The University of Arkansas police department added a new K-9 this week.
The 6-month-old Black Labrador is named Oakley. Sgt. Jeff Shetlar oversees the K-9 unit, and said having another dog will benefit the department.
"We have a lot of folks to protect and she'll be a fantastic locating tool," Shetlar said. "She'll help us find things faster if there's anything there, once I get her trained she'll be able to track people and objects and stuff."
Shetlar said right now, Oakley is learning basic commands. He said it will take around a year of advanced training before she will be in service. Shetlar said in the meantime, they want as many people as possible to meet her.
"Our students help us train her by interacting with her, so it's fantastic when they come up and pet her, and interact with her, that helps us," Shetlar said.
Oakley will be trained to detect explosive ordinances. As of now, UAPD has two other explosive ordinance dogs, as well as a narcotics detection dog.