This Bandit Steals HEARTS OAK BROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT’S COMFORT AND THERAPY DOG IS A BIG HIT

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Police officers and bandits don’t seem like a good mix. But the Oak Brook Police Department has become a huge exception to that, thanks to a very different kind of bandit that’s come into the fold.

Bandit is the name of the comfort/ therapy dog that came as a twomonth-old puppy from South Carolina and arrived this past December at his new home in Oak Brook. The Goldendoodle was named by students in Butler Elementary School District 53’s Brook Forest School and Butler Junior High.

And Bandit has already paid a visit to Brook Forest. “Bandit is the most lovable friend anyone can have in their life,” Brook Forest Principal Andrea Prola said. Bandit visited Brook Forest School to review safety drills with the students and will return soon for another visit. “The school already has a comfort dog that visits often,” Prola said. “The addition of Bandit will continue to support the school’s social and emotional standards and goals.”

Prola said the school has an incredible relationship with the Oak Brook Police Department. “We will continue to partner with them and foster the most effective and positive relationships with individuals who model servant leadership,” she said.

Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said the thought leading to getting Bandit was that a comfort/therapy dog would be a wonderful addition to the department. “Other departments are doing it, and it makes a lot of sense for us,” Strockis said. It’s a wonderful resource for community relations.” become a big Bandit fan.

“Bandit is the perfect fit for this department,” Strockis said. “He brings such joy and puts a smile on everyone’s face.” Oak Brook officer Katie Yager said Bandit graduated from a two-week basic obedience training class. Officers continue to work with Bandit daily on his verbal and non-verbal commands, which allows the dog to become familiar with several voices and department members, Yager said. “The next step is to enroll Bandit in a comfort/therapy program, allowing him to expand his skill and knowledge to bring comfort to the whole community,” she said.

Strockis said Bandit will be a great resource in many situations, such as retail thefts in which the offenders have children with them. Bandit can be used to stay around the children.

“It would have been great to have a dog when we had the (Oakbrook Center) shooting (in December 2021), and there were a lot of traumatized workers,” Strockis said. “We’re also very aware of suicides in the police community, in general. A dog like this will be very helpful in a lot of areas.”

It didn’t take long for Strockis to

Yager said Bandit has been a wonderful addition to the Oak Brook department. “Bandit is amazing,” she said. “He is constantly working, as he lifts the spirits of everyone around him. Bandit’s home is within the police department, but his love will spread throughout the community.”

Bandit lives at the Oak Brook Police Department and has a large courtyard outside the Butler Government Center for play and exercise. Yager said a small committee at the department is committed to his well-being and training; however, the entire department is trained in his obedience.

The glowing reviews for Bandit from Yager and Strockis are very much like what others in the Oak Brook Police Department had to say. “For being such a young dog and only working with Bandit for a short period of time, he follows commands and is eager to continue learning,” said Community Service Officer Mike McTighe. “Be careful around Bandit, he’ll steal your heart,” Deputy Chief Reid Foltyniewicz said. “Bandit brings such joy and happiness to the Oak Brook Police Department,” added Safia Rusulis, the department’s crime analyst. “His smile and hugs provide our staff with comfort and lots of love.”

While Bandit will return to Oak Brook schools in the future, he has already been out and about at a couple of significant public events. Yager said Bandit attended Special Olympics Oak Brook Polar Plunge in March to welcome the plungers out of the icy waters. “Bandit’s training was put to the test while attending the wake of Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso,” Yager said. “Bandit brought comfort to those waiting to pay their respects to a fallen hero. While in attendance, Bandit received many compliments on his manners for being such a young pup.”

Yager said the department hopes to continue highlighting Bandit’s progress and accomplishments. “As Bandit continues to further his training, we look forward to bringing him to more community events, she said.

Yager said Bandit has been well received by the community and his followers on Instagram at @Pawfficerbanditk907. ■