Meet LUcy, Lehigh's New Canine Officer

The Lehigh community welcomed a furry addition to the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) Wednesday, Jan. 11, and were charmed by the canine officer’s playfulness and fox-like beauty. But don’t underestimate the 9-month-old Belgian Malinois pup named LUcy.

After passing her upcoming intensive eight-week training with partner, LUPD Officer Gregory Nolf, LUcy will be a certified bomb, chemical and tracking dog.

LUcy was introduced to the campus community at an appreciation ceremony held at police headquarters. Her name, chosen from suggestions offered through Lehigh's social media sites, is in tribute to Lehigh founder Asa Packer's oldest child, Lucy Packer Linderman.

Chief Edward Shupp thanked Missy Robbins of Saucon Valley, who sponsored the acquisition of the new squad member. He said Robbins has been a generous supporter of LUPD, as well as other departments in the area, and she knows how effective canine officers can be in the line of duty.

“By providing the funds to allow the LUPD to bring LUcy to the Lehigh campus, Missy is greatly enhancing our ability to serve and protect members of our community, as well as assist our neighboring jurisdictions,” said Shupp, who explained that any police department who needs help in bomb and chemical situations, as well in tracking missing individuals, can call upon LUcy.

Robbins quickly admits that her love of dogs—especially those in the German Shepherd family—is the reason for the donation. LUcy is the second canine police dog that she has sponsored, having donated canine Officer Blaze to the Bethlehem City Police Department.

“German Shepherds are fantastic,” said Robbins. “Belgium Malinois are in the Shepherd family, and they need a job.”

Nolf met his new four-legged partner at the JFK airport in New York, where she was flown in from Belgium. As with most canine-human police partnerships, LUcy will reside with her partner, and in this case, also with Nolf’s wife, Allee.

“She’ll play 24 hours,” said Nolf, who added that LUcy’s 50-pound frame will increase to 75 pounds when she is fully grown.

Story by Dawn Thren

Photo by Christa Neu