Meet Bert, the highest-ranking law enforcement camel who patrolled LA

By Aliciamarie Rodriguez
Published
split image of nance fite riding bert the camel and close up of bert the camel

We’ve all seen law enforcement canines and horses. 

But have you ever heard of a law enforcement camel? 

Meet Deputy Bert, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department camel. 

Bert, who was owned and lovingly cared for by Reserve Deputy Nance Fite, holds the record title for the highest-ranking camel.

Ever since Nance was a child, she had always wanted to own a camel.

“I had always wanted a camel when I was young,” said Nance. 

So, when I saw Bert at eight days old, I was hooked. I brought him home at five months old.

Bert, who passed away on 5 December 2018, was a 7-foot-tall dromedary camel with one hump and weighed 2,100 pounds.

His name was an acronym for 'Be Enthusiastic Responsible and True'.

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He received his Los Angeles County Sheriff’s ID badge on 5 April 2003 during a city of San Dimas family festival. 

Bert even has his own uniform with a hole for his hump and a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office logo on it.

Since then, Bert made many appearances at schools, summer camps, and other events for kids to promote good behaviour, school participation, and staying away from drugs.

He loved being around kids and was often used as a children’s motivator, and to get the word out about the STAR drug awareness programme – Success Through Awareness & Resistance.

“We decided Bert would be a spokescamel for The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,” said Nance. 

He was a big part of the Children’s Safety and Say No to Drugs programme at the San Dimas station.

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During a visit to Eckstrand Elementary School, the principal had a friendly wager with her students regarding test scores. 

Because the students performed better than expected, the principal kissed Bert.

It was a fun event, and the children enjoyed having Bert at their school.

Bert also had an affinity for public events and made various appearances in newspapers, magazines, and even on global radio shows.

He has been in TIME for Kids and National Geographic Kids on three separate occasions. 

As “Deputy Bert,” he made appearances at multiple children’s hospitals, the Special Olympics, and numerous schools in and around L.A. County. 

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Not to mention, Bert was a TV celeb and was filmed for short segments and the shows Talk to the Animals, Animals at Work 2, and Officially Amazing.

“He has made children of all ages smile, giggle, and be motivated to ask questions and answer the questions we give them,” said Nance. 

Almost every place I took him he had fun; I had fun and everyone that met him had a smile.

Nance says one of her favourite memories with Bert is when they were at a children’s hospital together and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department hosted a fun day for all the patients. 

“All but the sickest children were brought outside and some that could not come out had their beds moved to the windows so they could see,” said Nance. 

“For the day, the children were allowed to be children and explore all of the sheriff’s department people, equipment, and Bert.”

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Nance says one young boy was wheeled up in his chair to see Bert.

“When the young boy was wheeled up to see Bert, he looked so sad and was motionless,” said Nance. 

As the boy got closer to Bert, he seemed to smile. Bert put his head on the boy’s lap and did not move. This was the boy’s cue to pet him on his head.

Nance says she believes Bert was put on the earth to make people happy, and that his legacy has continued in so many ways. 

“Bert opened doors for camels to be able to enrich people’s lives, in so many ways.”

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Nance also says Bert was a close friend and was her spirit animal. 

“Bert used to make everybody smile,” said Nance.

That’s what I remember about him the most. You couldn’t be around him and not smile. He just brought happiness wherever he went.

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