Meet Cypher And Glitch, UDC’s Electronic Detection Dogs
September 4, 2026/Featured
The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) is expanding its enforcement capabilities with the addition of two specialized K-9 officers, Cypher and Glitch, who are specifically trained to sniff out illicit electronic devices.
Assigned to the Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P) team, these K-9s will be instrumental in monitoring probationers and parolees who are prohibited from possessing such technology as a condition of their supervision.
“I’m excited to have the ESD K-9s on our team, because enforcing electronics-restricted conditions of parole is extremely challenging,” said UDC Commissioner Jared Garcia. “The K9s are new tools for our AP&P team, and we’re already utilizing them effectively.”
Unlike traditional drug or explosive detection dogs, Cypher and Glitch are trained to identify triphenylphosphine oxide. This chemical compound is commonly found in the circuit boards and flame retardants of almost all electronic storage devices, allowing the dogs to locate a wide array of items, including micro SD cards, AirTags, cell phones, laptops, tablets, and hard drives.
AP&P supervises over 15,000 probationers and parolees. Of those, over 1,700 are sex offenders, many of whom have “Group A” conditions restricting electronics or internet access. The K-9s enable faster and more effective detection of hidden devices that violate these supervision terms.
The addition of Cypher and Glitch nearly doubles the total number of ESD K-9s operating in Utah. Handlers Agent Josh Paxman and Agent Jake Downs have already begun assisting AP&P and other law enforcement agencies across the state with specialized searches.
The two canines are bundles of energy and very friendly. During a presentation recently, Downs noted a recent search where children were present. He said the children were able to hug and pet the dogs, putting them at ease.
The K-9s, along with their handler training, were donated to the UDC by Defenders for Children, a national organization focused on raising funds to equip law enforcement agencies with electronics-detection dogs.
“I’m so grateful for the work the team at UDC is doing to protect children,” said Toni Clark, CEO of Defenders for Children. “It’s an honor to work with law enforcement in Utah and across the country, and we’re proud to provide these K-9s to help make a real difference.”
“We’re grateful to Defenders for Children for it’s generous donation of the ESD’s,” Commissioner Garcia added. “Cypher and Glitch are welcome additions to our AP&P team.”
