Some of Officer Michael Conto's best days are when nothing happens.
Conto and his partner — a 6-year-old, bomb-sniffing, floppy-eared dog named Bliss — spend their days sweeping crime scenes and helping with proactive security at national events. When they don't find anything and everyone goes home safely, it's a great day, Conto said.
The 21-year veteran of the Tucson Police Department was honored Wednesday as the agency's officer of the year at a semiannual awards ceremony. Dozens of other officers were lauded for their work, too.
"It's hard work, but I very much enjoy it and I think we make a difference," Conto said.
He's spent 10 years on the bomb squad and has seen the work evolve into a high-tech job. He got Bliss, a black Labrador, three years ago as part of a nationwide ATF K-9 program run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Now he and Bliss are in demand. Several times a year, they are called out to national security situations, such as political conventions and bowl games. Last year, the team checked for explosives before President Bush visited Tucson.
Most of their on-duty time is spent in Tucson, making sure crime scenes are safe for investigators. Bliss once found explosives in a hidden compartment in a suspect's home, eliminating a potential hazard for police officers, Conto said.
The team also is in demand for training. Conto is a member of the National Explosives Advisory Board, which sets emergency policies and procedures.
But at home, she's "our little princess," said Susan Conto, the officer's wife. Bliss' dog tag is a federal badge, and her blue collar and leash say "ATF explosives K-9." So naturally, Bliss thinks she's above the family's other pets, Susan Conto said.
At times, having a pet as a partner can be overwhelming, Officer Conto said, noting Bliss requires a lot of attention.
"It's like going to work with a toddler every day," he said.
Other TPD honorees
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● Police Chief Richard Miranda honored many other members of the Police Department on Wednesday. They are:
l Frank Carrizosa, Rene Gomez, Thomas Leadbetter, Craig Lorenz, James McShea and James Williamson.
l "Lock It or Lose It" program staff.
l Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training program staff.
l Tucson Police Honor Guard.
l TPD photographers.
Operations Division South Summer Deployment.
Julie Christopherson, Heather Hartigan, Danny Peralta and Gregory Wright.
Richard Anemone, Patricia Duarte, Martín Garcia, Harold Goss, Carla Johnson, Larry Lopez, Bruce Marquis, Elsa Martinez, Robert McCusker, David Neri, Fabian Pacheco, Joseph Puglia, Michael Ryan, John Stamatopoulos, James Stoutmeyer and Phillip Uhall.
Jobe Dickinson.
Glenn Cutlip and Steven Sussen.
l Al Agellon, Volunteer of the Year.
l Julie Ramirez, Civilian Employee of the Year.
l Tina Velasquez, Explorer of the Year.
