Detective Kimberly Hopper of the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD) said that she likes to show that police are human by getting a therapy dog in the department, KOAT 7 reported.
"Law enforcement is always evolving and always changing," Hopper said. "So it's nice to show we're human beings."
The smallest and youngest member of the Rio Rancho Police Department happens to be an eight-week-old puppy – but that puppy has a big role to play.
She is being called "puppy," and she is the first-ever therapy dog for RRPD.
Hopper went on to talk about the characteristics of the dog.
"She was just the sweetest thing," Hopper said. "Just real relaxed, just wanted to be with people clearly and just thought that was the perfect therapy dog for our department."
Puppy's purpose is to help with officer, dispatcher and civilian morale, victim advocacy and promote the department.
She hopes that the dog will make the department more inviting.
"We're cops, but we have this cute puppy, we're friendly, come say hi to us," Hopper said.
Welcoming Puppy, a Schnauzer and Poodle mix, has been a project Chief Stewart Steele has been working on for five years.