'Dream Come True': New Lenox PD's K9 Team Now On The Job

NEW LENOX, IL — Harlie's expression doesn't quite fit that which most people might picture when a police dog comes to mind.

She's smiling. All the time.

"Just a loving face," said her handler and New Lenox police officer Candace Guidry.

Even before her swearing-in on Monday, June 17, New Lenox Police Department's newest K9 officer has already won hearts—including Guidry's. At their first introduction, Harlie was so docile, Guidry was skeptical of her paw-tential.

"'There’s no way she’s a police dog,'" Guidry joked that she remembered thinking, "because she was so sweet, so friendly. She rolled on her back right away."

The yellow Labrador with a seemingly permanent grin was looking for belly rubs. She might look too sweet for the job, Guidry said, but she's now highly skilled for the tasks in front of her. The duo recently completed six weeks of training, and Harlie put her paw to ink Monday to commit to her role.

Guidry is excited to be out on the street with her new paw-tner, who specializes in narcotics detection, tracking, evidence recovery, and article search.

"I’ve wanted to be a K9 handler since before I started my police career," Guidry said. "It’s essentially a dream come true."

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow purchased Harlie, her training, and the canine transport equipment installed in the police vehicle using drug asset money seized from dealers and traffickers selling illegal narcotics in Will County. No taxpayer dollars were used, Glasgow's office said in a release Tuesday.

"I am going to continue providing these very special K9s to our law enforcement community because they play such a critical role in crime prevention and interdiction, as well as offering providing incredibly positive community outreach," Glasgow said. "These canines bring very unique talents to the table when assisting law enforcement in its mission of taking criminal drug dealers and violent offenders off our streets.

"Just as important, they serve as ‘Goodwill Ambassadors’ who further strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and members of the community, including children. These dogs go into our school with officers, helping children learn about the dangers of drugs as well as the importance of offering empathy and compassion to our canine companions. As St. Francis of Assisi so brilliantly declared over 900 years ago, ‘He who would deny the shelter of pity and compassion to any of God’s creatures, would do likewise to his fellow man.’ The solace that these amazing creatures provide to us unconditionally makes for a more benevolent and kind community."

Harlie was born October 23, 2023, at Skyline Drive Kennels in Brownstown, Indiana. Students at New Lenox School District 122helped name the New Lenox Police Department’s newest addition, choosing between names Izzy, Ellie, and Harlie.

Harlie is the 21st police canine Glasgow has provided to local law enforcement agencies in Will County. In the next few months, four more canines will be coming on board at the police departments in Mokena, Frankfort, and two in Plainfield.

In addition to Harlie, State’s Attorney Glasgow has provided “Reno” and “Aro” in Joliet, “Rookie” in Shorewood, “Hutch” in Channahon, “Roxie” in Rockdale; “Mao” in Wilmington; “Simo” in Crest Hill, “Tib” (short for Tiburian) and Sam (retired) in Elwood; “Lorde” and “Tucker” (retired) in Park Forest; “Cap” in Monee; “Helmut” in Tinley Park; “Nuke” in Braidwood; “Kya” in Minooka, “Raider” in Bolingbrook, and “Apollo” in Manhattan. Glasgow provided the training and K-9 transport equipment for each of these K-9s as well.

Glasgow also partnered with the Will County Sheriff by contributing half the cost for “Loki,” a German Shepherd trained in detecting explosives who joined the Will County Sheriff’s Department to provide critically important technical security at the new Will County courthouse. Further, Glasgow provided “Cache” (retired), Illinois’ first electronic sniffing K-9 who worked with a handler in the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to assist in investigations of child sexual exploitation materials. Glasgow also provided canine officer and therapy dog “Jet” to Lewis University.

"Harlie and Officer Guidry have been working extremely hard to receive their certification, and Harlie already has been out in the community meeting residents," said New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini in a release from Glasgow's office. "With her keen sense of smell, speed, and agility, Harlie will be a great addition to our Police Department. It has been over a decade since New Lenox has had a canine program, and we are grateful to be able to take advantage of this opportunity through State’s Attorney Glasgow."

Guidry said she's grateful for the opportunity to work with Harlie from such a young age.

"Me being able to be with her during the training—I’ll be able to take on all of that responsibility, and I’ll know how I trained her," Guidry said. "I'm just amazed me with how smart she is.

"I’m looking forward to having her for a long time. She’s just going to get smarter."

Harlie is now a member of Glasgow’s League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends, an initiative Glasgow established to bring together his specialized Animal Protection Unit, the law enforcement community, government animal protection and control agencies, veterinarians, humane societies, rescue groups, and all who care about the humane treatment of animals to work together in addressing animal cruelty and neglect.

Harlie lives with Guidry, who said they've already inseparable.

"It’s been nothing short of amazing," Guidry said. "We’ve had so much fun together, me and her. She’s my new best friend. It has been the best experience in my career, by far. It has been just awesome.

"She makes every day better."