Miramar’s newest K-9 has a nose for hidden electronics — a first for Broward
Miramar’s newest police K-9 doesn’t chase suspects or sniff out drugs or explosives.
Instead, Delila is trained to detect hidden electronic devices — a skill police say is becoming increasingly important in modern criminal investigations, particularly those involving child pornography.
The 2½-year-old Labrador retriever recently joined the Miramar Police Department K-9 unit and is far from a run-of-the-mill canine.
According to Miramar police, Delila is the only electronic detection dog working for a law enforcement agency in Broward County. She joins a unit that also includes two other dogs trained for apprehension and explosives detection.
Fresh on the job, Delila — who was introduced on the department’s Facebook page — is already out in the streets of Miramar.
“Last week, she participated in her first assignment: the execution of a residential search warrant,” her handler, Det. Melinda Kimkowski, who is assigned to the department’s Special Victims Unit, told Miramar News.
Delila passed with flying colors.
“Her role was to help locate electronic devices, including those that may have been hidden,” Kimkowski said. “Delila’s support enables investigators to work more efficiently.”
What makes Delila special is her ability to detect triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO), a chemical compound used in the manufacturing of electronic devices such as cell phones, hard drives, memory cards and USB drives.
That skill allows investigators to find devices that suspects may attempt to hide inside walls, drawers, false floors, furniture or other concealed spaces. Police say this capability is especially valuable in Internet Crimes Against Children investigations, where digital evidence can be critical to building a case.
Delila’s training was sponsored by Our Rescue, a nonprofit organization that combats child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Her path to law enforcement began far from Miramar. As a puppy, Delila was initially trained in Indiana to be a service dog for people with disabilities. Trainers later determined her abilities made her better suited for scent-detection work with law enforcement.
She eventually began training with Todd Jordan, chief trainer at Jordan Detection K-9 in Indianapolis, a nationally recognized program that prepares dogs for electronic equipment detection work.
Even after completing formal training, Delila’s skills require constant practice. Kimkowski said she and Delila train every day to maintain the dog’s accuracy and reliability.
Like many detection dogs, Delila is motivated by treats.
“These canines are food-reward dogs, which means they are rewarded with kibble after they locate electronics,” Kimkowski said.
Labrador retrievers are often chosen for this type of work because of their temperament, motivation and love of food.
On a side note, Kimkowski said Delila also provides emotional support to investigators who handle difficult child exploitation cases.
“Delila’s presence in the office makes such a positive difference for me and for everyone else she encounters,” the detective said.
With her unique abilities, Delila is also drawing attention to the fight against child exploitation. And when she’s off duty, the Labrador shows a very different personality.
“Outside of work, Delila is a loving, playful and protective dog,” Kimkowski said. “She follows me everywhere I go and almost always has a toy in her mouth, asking to play.”
For her handler — now in her 16th year with the department — the partnership with Delila is both a professional milestone and a personal honor.
“I feel so privileged to be her handler,” the detective said.
This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM.
