ERIE COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — In law enforcement, "BOLO" is an acronym for "Be On The Lookout," a code to watch out for a fugitive or some sort of criminal activity. At the Erie County Sheriff's Office, Bolo is also the name for the newest member of their dispatch team, whose only crime to date is stealing the hearts of all he encounters.
Erie County dispatchers act as the first response to 911 calls, alerting police and fire departments not only in their community, but also for a dozen nearby counties and townships. It's a job that can take a toll on anyone's stress level.
"We work 12-hour shifts, so one week we work three twelves, the next week we work four. So that's a lot," Corporal Nakia Stuckey says. "When we get calls, it's usually the person's worst day, and we deal with that every day. So not only do we have a lot of stress just from answering the calls of people's worst situations that are happening; we hang up, we get the next call, which could be something even worse."
That kind of pressure can burn out the steeliest of nerves. Detective Dan Orzech had an idea of how to help relieve dispatch stress after seeing a Facebook post from a neighboring community.
"Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, who is to the west of us here, they had a dispatch dog and it's been working out super good for them," Orzech told 3News. "It is a very stressful job and dogs always put a smile on people's faces. Just gives a break for the dispatchers to go outside for 5 to 10 minutes and play with the dog and relieve some of that stress."
As luck would have it, the county pound lives next door, and Orzech saw a dog that looked like the perfect fit.
"Bolo showed up as a stray, was brought in by somebody that found it — no tag, no chip in the dog," Barb Knapp, Erie County's dog warden and humane officer, said. "So we held it, and then it just was fate that Dan decided just to come in and visit that day. Just to see this dog's reaction to come over here made all of us really happy."
Not everyone was an easy sell on the idea.
"I have been extremely resistant to the idea of having a dog in dispatch," Sergeant Greg Krumnow, who is in charge of communications for the department, admitted. "When Detective Orzech brought the dog in, he says, 'Hey Sarge, I got a dog for you, for dispatch.' I said, 'No, take him right back out.' And so he's like, 'Oh, come on!'"
But now, Krumnow is Bolo's biggest supporter.
"I got up, went over and looked at him, and started petting him and playing with him, and it does relieve your stress. It is quite remarkable what he's able to accomplish just by just being present. It has brought a lot of the dispatchers together, and they have that one goal in mind and being able to take care of Bolo."
Given his previous history, not much is known about Bolo. He's still a pup — a mixed breed, maybe with some bulldog in him. In spite of his youthfulness, Bolo is very relaxed and calm. He rarely barks, and loves belly scratches.
Dispatchers say Bolo starts working his magic the moment they walk through the door.
"Our shift changes at 6 o'clock in the morning. Anybody coming in at 6 o'clock in the morning is usually a little sleepy; not so much anymore," Stuckey said. "They come in, see Bolo, he runs to the door to see who's coming in every time the door opens, and they get to play with him and just have a good interaction first thing in the morning. People, their whole demeanor can change when they have a dog. That just makes them happier."
"I think every department should have it. I think it's great," Dispatcher Patience Cook, who also happens to be Bolo's human away from work, stated. "I know it's not easy finding a dog that fits necessarily with that, but we got lucky. I think he's the best."
Just like the employees here, Bolo gets time at home to rest, relax, and recharge. Knapp hopes Bolo's story will encourage others to consider adoption, as so many other wonderful dogs await homes, too.
"This dog has a job now, and it's the best outcome we could have."
Check out adoptable dogs and cats at the Humane Society of Erie County.