McGruff looking for volunteers

Are you ready to take a bite out of crime? McGruff the Crime Dog is COPS’ furry mascot and he needs a little help making it to all his engagements – McGruff is looking for volunteers.

McGruff has been around since 1980 and he’s on a mission to get citizens engaged in crime prevention as volunteers for Spokane’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and to educate watchful, caring neighbors.

He is obviously more bark than bite, and he spends his days making rounds to schools, community events, day care centers and senior centers, where he poses for pictures and hands out fliers.

McGruff is not on a leash but he always brings a handler – he was just in the South Perry Parade.

The ideal McGruff volunteer must be 18 years old, pass a background check, and be between 5-foot-7 and 6-foot-3 tall, reasonably fit and of normal build – the latter is important to fit into McGruff’s well-loved and slightly rumpled trench coat.

The brown pooch is friendly but not a prankster. He must be portrayed at all times as someone who values and is respectful of good relations with law enforcement, community officials, teachers, parents, youth, senior citizens, businesses, and community organizations.