May 17, 2002 UNT Inhouse publications: On the trail: UNT police department adds K-9 unit to patrol force

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UNT Officer Shane Menz and Hektor

On the trail: UNT police department adds K-9 unit to patrol force

The newest member of UNT's police force finds four legs and a bent for scent detection are his best assets in protecting the campus.

Hektor, a 1-year-old black German Shepherd from Slovakia, joined the UNT public safety squad in early May after completing six weeks of intensive training with his handler, Officer Shane Menz. Hektor previously completed 12 weeks of preliminary training.

He is only the second police dog at a university in Texas, and UNT is one of only a handful of universities around the nation with a K-9 team.

"We are always looking for ways to increase campus safety, and the K-9 unit is a very effective way to improve our capability of responding to different situations while generally increasing overall campus safety," says Ed Reynolds, deputy chief of police.

The UNT K-9 unit was trained in explosives detection and patrol tactics and will be used in building searches, daily patrol and support, as well as suspect tracking. The unit will work a varied shift in patrol as well as be part of the special events advance team. In addition, the K-9 unit is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hektor was trained and titled in Germany before he and Menz started training together at the Global Training Academy in Somerset. He was purchased from a breeder specializing in breeding for police work and brought to Texas specifically for UNT because his temperament and personality fit Menz and are well suited for the campus atmosphere.

"We're a perfect fit," Menz says. "Hektor and I have a relationship based on trust. He looks to me for his care and training, and I trust his nose while we are on patrol."