UPD’s Dylan Detman and K9 Bru
When UWG News met the University Police Department’s (UPD) new black lab Bru, she trotted out with the confidence of someone who already knows she’s about to become a campus favorite – ears high, nose working and tail wagging, as if ready to meet more than 16,000 new friends. But beneath that charm is a highly trained K9 whose arrival marks a new chapter for UPD, one focused on strengthening safety and deepening trust across the University of West Georgia community.
Bru’s handler, Investigator Dylan Detman, explained Bru is an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) dog, a specialized working canine trained to use her keen sense of smell to detect explosive materials, firearms and ammunition. Together, the pair will screen large scale activities – like Homecoming, commencementceremonies and athletic events – in a role that complements the work of UPD and its broader vision for safety and engagement.
“Prevention is a big deal,” Detman stated. “Cultural discourse is escalating, so Bru helps us prepare for crises even though, fortunately, nothing has happened yet. She also helps us engage with the students and the community. Before Bru, we’ve had to reach out to external partners, and now we’re able to reciprocate. We’ve swept high school graduations, teamed up with capitol state police EOD dogs and helped the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office with SWAT.”
In March, Detman picked up Bru from a kennel that imprinted her on explosives and odors she needed to be able to detect. The duo then attended a five-week course where they learned each other’s strengths and personalities that became the foundation of their partnership.
“She’s a really good, strong dog, because I honestly struggled for half the course,” Detman recalled. “She was just along for the ride until I figured things out. The handler course was more for me than her because she already knew how to work, especially when it came to smelling things. It taught me how to utilize her skills, upkeep her training and make sure she stays sharp.”
Detman and Bru are now certified by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) to be a detection team.
A well-trained K9 like Bru becomes an instant bridge between officers and the people they serve, softening uniforms with approachability and sparking conversation that might not happen otherwise. Her presence invites students to stop, ask questions and engage with UPD in moments that feel natural rather than formal. Over time, those small interactions build familiarity and trust, helping the department strengthen relationships across campus and the broader community in a way that’s both human and deeply community centered.
“She’s definitely not your typical police dog; she’s softer, a lot more excitable and lovable,” Detman concluded. “She just rides around with me and helps me do what needs to be done. At events like Blue Mocktails, she’s a conversation starter and a point of connection. We’re all pretty much dog people.”
photography by Hailey Wilkinson
