The Portland Police Department has a new comfort dog on its team, which is an eight-week-old English Labrador named “Archie.”
Officers say the dog will serve in various capacities, such as helping officers cope with job-related stress, providing comfort to crime victims, and engaging with the community at public events, schools, and crisis situations.
They say comfort dogs are different from service dogs or emotional support animals because they’re trained to assist the public and the community as a whole instead of one person.
Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois says Archie is being added to the department after they recognized the increasing mental health challenges faced by law enforcement and the community.
“We are excited to welcome Archie to our department,” said Dubois.
The department says it went through a lengthy process to ensure it secured a breed of dog that was best suited for the comfort dog role and chose Boonefield Labradors of Rindge, N.H. as the breeder, based on their successful track record.
They say English Labradors are known for being affectionate, loving, and friendly and are social and outgoing, and warm up to strangers easily.
Archie is being handled by 30-year police veteran Les Smith, who is now part of the department’s Community Policing Unit. Smith hopes Archie will impact the community in a positive way.
“We’re hoping Archie will be a great asset to the department and the city of Portland,”” said Smith. “”I’m really looking forward to sharing him with our community and want to make sure people know, if you see me and Archie out on the streets, please say hello!”
The department listed several key reasons for acquiring a comfort dog:
- Supporting Officers’ Mental Health – Police work is highly stressful and can lead to trauma, anxiety, or PTSD. A comfort dog provides emotional support to officers, helping them cope with the daily pressures of the job.
- Helping Crime Victims & Witnesses – Victims of crimes, especially children or those who have experienced trauma, often feel overwhelmed when speaking with police. A comfort dog can provide a calming presence, making it easier for them to share information and feel safe.
- Community Engagement – Comfort dogs help build positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. They make officers seem more approachable and help break down barriers, particularly in schools, community events, or outreach programs.
- Assisting During Critical Incidents – After tragedies like natural disasters, violent crimes, or accidents, a comfort dog can help survivors, first responders, and witnesses deal with stress and emotional distress.
- Boosting Department Morale – Police departments, like any workplace, benefit from morale boosters. A comfort dog can provide a sense of relief and companionship, improving the overall well-being of officers and staff.
