He’s impossible not to love. Niko, the two year old golden who works full time for the NH Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Enter any room he’s in and Niko will greet you with enthusiasm, a wet puppy nose, that unmistakable puppy breath and perhaps he’ll start to jump up for kisses unless his person, Matt Fleming sees it all unfolding and gently commands him to stay down.
Niko looks and acts like any other golden you’ve ever met. But this boy has a special skill. Niko can sniff out electronics… like REALLY sniff out electronics. Sure, he’d be handy if you tend to misplace your cell phone, but in the hands of a well-trained law enforcement agency, he’s a powerful weapon for justice.
The fact he is so cute is the dichotomy because he works deep in the dark and ugly bowels of our society. He literally sniffs out the evidence which leads to the prosecution of people who peddle in child rape and other abhorrent and unspeakable acts against young people. Images of people doing inhumane, unimaginable, stomach-churning things to children are currency of a dark trade that is happening way too often in New Hampshire.
It’s everywhere. That’s the truth of it. NH ICAC is busy, every single day. Niko is an adorable mascot of a terrible battle to protect our children from monsters. ICAC tends to be a bit of a well-kept secret. I hope to help change that. I hope that by shining a bright light on the activities of ICAC and the successes of Niko and the incredible team of investigators, we will collectively root out the dark and dangerous world of child sexual assault and abuse.
I recently rode with the NH ICAC team on a field operation targeting a possible child predator. The Spradling Group brought our camera crew to capture Niko on the raid of a home and search for evidence of criminal activity. We intend to spend time highlighting their work, their advice, and of course, Niko.
Check them out on Facebook and Instagram… say hi to Niko… and let him know he’s doing a fantastic job.