MTSU Police ‘paw-leased’ to introduce second K-9 officer

Middle Tennessee State University’s Police Department recently swore in its second K-9 Officer Ace, right, who will work and live with his handler Officer Joseph “Jad” Dishner. Ace is trained in explosives detection and will add an extra level of security to campus during athletic and other events. (MTSU photo by Jacob Wagner)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Police Department recently took to social media to introduce its newest recruit Ace — of the furrier and four-legged variety — to the campus and wider community.

MTSU Police Chief Ed Kaup said the hunt for an explosives detection dog like Ace had been in the works for several months.

“We felt a working bomb dog would be a great addition to our team to help protect our campus community, with his ability to scout areas for possible explosives and firearms at athletic and other events to help keep everyone safe,” Kaup said. “Additionally, he’ll be able to track people and search for discarded evidence once he completes training.”

The 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer has been making himself at home with handler Officer Joseph “Jad” Dishner.

“The first few days have been great,” said Dishner about his new 80-pound roommate. “His personality is very playful and loving.”

Dishner landed the handler position after completing an application, interview and home visit process.

Middle Tennessee State University’s Police Department recently swore in its second K-9 Officer Ace, left, who will work and live with his handler Officer Joseph “Jad” Dishner. Ace is trained in explosives detection and will add an extra level of security to campus during athletic and other events. (MTSU photo by Jacob Wagner)

“We had to ensure we had the right officer match who, further, had the right living environment to take on a K-9,” Kaup said.

In the lead up to procuring Ace, Dishner has been working extensively with Sgt. Zachery Brooker and the department’s first K-9 Bobby. The pair have been successfully serving the campus community for nearly five years.

“Sgt. Brooker and Officer Dishner traveled together to the Transportation Security Administration’s Military Working Dog Facility at Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas, to personally select Ace,” Kaup said. “Dishner will continue training with Sgt. Brooker and following the K-9 handler protocol of training with the Murfreesboro Police Department, and their trainer Garry Templeton, and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

“The goal is for them to be trained up and ready to work as intended by the fall semester.”

Though the campus community is always cautioned to ask for permission before approaching either K-9, the dogs love pets and attention if the handlers give the OK.

“Over the past couple days Ace has been able to interact with multiple people, and it’s been great to see him genuinely happy to work and love on people,” Dishner said.

Keep up to date on campus safety at https://mtsu.edu/police/ and by following MTSU Police on X, Instagram and Facebook.

— Stephanie Wagner (Stephanie.Wagner@mtsu.edu)