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Police look to monkeys for special ops
Capuchins could be an invaluable reconnaissance tool

The Daily Telegraph

Thursday, April 21, 2005

NEW YORK -- An American police force is planning to sign up a monkey to reinforce its elite special operations team.

Members of the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit in Mesa, Ariz., say they believe that a capuchin monkey, dressed in a bullet-proof jacket and equipped with a two-way radio and video camera, could prove an invaluable reconnaissance tool.

The SWAT team's commander has agreed to a feasibility study into the use of a capuchin monkey. Sean Truelove, a SWAT officer who builds and operates reconnaissance robots, has applied for a $100,000 US federal grant to fund the monkey project.

Capuchins have already been trained to be companions to quadriplegics. Truelove said the same training could prepare a capuchin monkey for police intelligence work. He said the monkeys, which weigh only 1.4 to 3.6 kilograms and whose puzzle-solving skills are enhanced by tiny, dexterous human-like hands, could unlock doors, search buildings and find victims upon command.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005