Meet the dogs behind the badge

By Maureen Callahan | Photos courtesy of the Oak Brook Police Department

As Police Week and National Pet Month are recognized nationwide, the Oak Brook Police Department highlights two dogs who play vital roles behind the scenes and in the field. Bandit and Ghost each bring a unique skill set that supports both officers and the community.

Bandit

Meet Pawfficer Bandit, OBPD’s three-year-old Goldendoodle. The loveable canine comfort mascot provides support to the department. His calm temperament helps officers de-stress after dealing with tough situations. “Chief wanted to be sure we had a friend like Bandit around and available to all officers,” said Officer Katie Yager, Bandit’s ‘personal assistant.’ “Even at night, because high anxiety situations can happen at any time, so he lives here and has a bed in his own office.”

Bandit likes to go along on visits to the local schools to help create a welcoming environment between officers and students. Sometimes the kids read to him. He’s so well known and loved that the art teacher at Butler painted a mural on Bandit’s wall.

But it’s not all business. Halloween and other special events see Bandit dressed up in costumes. He visits local hospitals to cheer up the infirmed at the holidays.

Follow Bandit on Instagram at @Pawfficerbanditk907.

Ghost

Ghost

Ghost is a five-year-old German Shepherd who came to live at OBPD from Slovakia in 2022.  He has worked alongside his handler, Sergeant Andrew Franczak, ever since. Together, they complete periodic certifications of the American Police Canine Association .

According to OBPD, in every well-trained K9, there is a balance of strength, restraint, and obedience. These attributes are vital in the high-stress area of police work Ghost and Franczak work in.

As part of the K9 Unit, Ghost is trained and certified to perform tracking, offender apprehension, building and area searches, and narcotic and evidence searches for items dropped by perpetrators fleeing crime scenes.

While it is estimated that Ghost’s services are used on about 50-75 calls a year, the K9 Unit is on call 24/7. It’s an important part of OBPD that provides mutual aid to other agencies and is part of DuPage County’s MERIT’s Canine Response Unit. K9 also puts on public demonstrations as well as attending DARE functions and educational events at local schools and organizations.