Meet Heidi - New Yale Police Department service dog

The Yale Police Department (YPD) embraces community engagement. Service dogs can be a unique way to connect with the community. Dogs transcend cultures, religious beliefs, and political affiliation and are cute and cuddly. With a service dog, the YPD knew it could provide a segue into establishing more robust relationships with our diverse community. Heidi, a just under two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, reported to duty in October. Officer Rich Simons is assigned as Heidi’s handler. She will live with Officer Simons and his family when not on duty. Officer Simons and all YPD officers are certified in crisis intervention training (CIT). To meet Heidi, please email Officer Simons at richard.simons@yale.edu.

In August, the YPD introduced their first service dog, Vance. Vance is a great dog, but in working with #puppiesbehindbars, who originally trained him, it was decided that Vance would do better in a smaller environment. He recently left the YPD was paired with and is now living happily with a veteran.