Kids got a first hand look at how police officers work when Middlesex Sheriff Koutoujian’s Youth Public Safety Academy hosted a day at the Somerville Police Department. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Middlesex Sheriff Koutoujian’s Youth Public Safety Academy introduced some 30 kids to the Somerville Police headquarters on July 25.

This program started 13 years ago to provide the kids, ages 9-11, with some “basic first aid and fire safety skills and see the K-9 demonstrations,” according to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.

“Today it’s Somerville Police day,” said Deputy Chief Michael Cabral. “The kids stopped by the Somerville Police Station at Washington Street and in the afternoon they went to the Fire Station to be educated by the city’s local departments.”

After taking the tour, cadets participated in a Q & A.

A boy wanted to see the gun that one of the officers has on his duty belt. The officer explained the he could not take the gun out of his holster.

The demonstration from their canine officer came after the Q & A.

Officer John Tam and Max.
– Photo by Harry Kane

Officer John Tam is the officer in charge of the canine unit. He is the handler for the German Shepard named Max. Originally from Slovakia, Max was brought to the United States to serve and protect.

The dog lives with Officer John Tam. “It’s no different than any other house pet, except he has special skills and training,” said Officer Tam.

When he was younger, Tam recalls, “He actually ate three pairs of my work boots.”

Max outgrew his boot-eating days and joined the Somerville Police force about four years ago.

Max is a dual-purpose dog, said Officer Tam. His first purpose is police work: that entails protecting Officer John Tam, looking for human scent, and tracking people. Max can look for evidence or articles left behind by a suspect.

Max is also trained for the apprehension of a suspect. After a series of announcements and warnings, according to Officer Tam, if the suspect does not comply, the dog can be released for apprehension.

While Max is used in a variety of ways, “most of his work is narcotics detection,” said Officer Tam.

Officer Tam said the dog acts as “another tool on his tool-belt.”

A lot of the kids wanted to know whether the dog had bitten or attacked anyone and Officer Tam explained that Max could knock someone down or chase them and hold them with his teeth on the person’s arm or leg. “He is trained for that, if he has to,” said Officer Tam.