The newest member of the University of Rhode Island Police Department is not only unusually cuddly, but is helping make campus, and the surrounding community, a safer place.

Black Lab Figaro has been trained to detect bombs and bomb residue. He started work in the fall, making URI one of only three colleges in New England to have an explosives-trained canine on the force.

Figaro’s presence is a natural evolution in campus safety, says URI Police Major Michael Jagoda.

“I felt this was one step that was consistent with one of President Dooley’s Transformational Goals, which is to make URI a global leader,” Jagoda said. “I can see that the University is gaining more attention and respect around the world, and that means we are going to be bringing many more national and international dignitaries to campus. Our sporting and entertainment events are getting bigger as well.”

Jagoda also knew that resources for bomb detection were thin in South County, Rhode Island.

“We have many big events, including Commencement, that require the skills of a trained officer and canine to conduct building and facility sweeps to ensure the safety of our community,” Jagoda adds. “Plus it’s an efficiency issue. If someone finds a suspicious package in the Memorial Union, Sgt. Vieira and Figaro are able to respond immediately.”