Public Safety
Officer Lance Long poses with K-9 Bert in front of a cruiser.

K-9 Unit

Officer Steve Lawson poses with K-9 Remi standing in the C-Paw on the court in Fifth Third Arena.

The University of Cincinnati Police Division K-9 Unit, which was created in 2015, consists of two K-9s that can detect all explosive chemicals.

Bert, a Czech Shepherd, is Officer Lance Long's partner. Remi, a German Shorthaired Pointer, is Officer Steve Lawson's partner. They train daily to maintain critical skills, in addition to training with other local K-9 Units.

Officer Long and Bert and Officer Lawson and Remi patrol campus and sweep buildings prior to special events. The K-9 Unit also assists other local law enforcement partners and provides explosive-detection services. Special events can include dignitary visits, campus and local athletic events, or other large events, such as Red, White, and Blue Ash, BLINK, Taste of Cincinnati, WEBN Fireworks, and many more. The unit also responds to any bomb threats and suspicious items in the region. If you see them out and about please say hi!

Officer Long coordinates regional K-9 training in conjunction with federal agencies annually. He also helps other agencies train and certify new K-9 teams, both explosive and narcotic.

Bert purchased by Homeland Security Grant and Remi was purchased by the Matt Haverkamp Foundation, which has previously assisted in purchasing previous K-9s for the UCPD. The foundation, established in 2005 following the death of K-9 officer Matt Haverkamp, has funded numerous K-9s since its inception.

Retired K-9s

Officer Lance Long poses with K-9 Dozer.

Dozer, a labrador retriever, was assigned to Officer Lance Long. He served the university from September 2015 until his retirement in October 2021.

Officer Lori Cronin poses with K-9 Harley.

Harley, a German Shorthaired Pointer, was assigned to Officer Lori Cronin. She served the university from October 2019 until her retirement in June 2026.