In school safety, an innovative solution is making waves—and it’s not your typical security measure. Meet Bullseye K9 Detection Services, a California company that’s shaking up the status quo with an unusual yet highly effective tool: firearms detection dogs that are not tied to law enforcement but amp up school security just the same.

The man behind it all is Andre Lemay, a retired California law enforcement officer with over three decades of experience in firearms crime investigation. What began as a career in policing quickly evolved into something unexpected—a passion for teaching and a deep connection with dogs. Now, Lemay is channeling his law enforcement insight and love of K-9s into a business that’s saving lives and changing perceptions of school security.

From Cop to Canine Whisperer

Lemay’s journey to founding Bullseye K9 is anything but typical. In fact, he admits he never even planned to be a police officer.

“Funny enough, I wanted to be a teacher,” he says. “I didn’t always like dogs either. I worked with an officer who handled a Rottweiler, and the dog was, well, messy and a little mean. It made me think I’d never want to work with dogs.”

But life had other plans. After transitioning into narcotics work, Lemay became increasingly exposed to detection dogs. His initial indifference eventually gave way to fascination. It wasn’t long before he realized detection dogs could be a game-changer in combating gun violence.

In 1998, when he moved to the California Department of Justice, Lemay was introduced to the idea of using dogs in the fight against illegal firearms possession. He adopted Raider, a rescue dog, and used him as a detection dog for years. In 2016, he began laying the groundwork for a statewide firearms detection program with his new K-9, Remi, who had been trained in firearms detection by Top Dog Police K9 & Consulting .

By 2011, he’d founded a firearms detection task force within the Contra Costa County (California) Sheriff’s Office. His success here, combined with Lemay’s desire to create proactive solutions, ultimately led him to found Bullseye K9.

A Novel Approach to School Safety

When Lemay retired in 2024, he took this experience and insight with him, creating a business that offers something schools desperately need: an innovative and proactive approach to preventing gun violence.

Enter Bullseye K9, a service that brings in specially trained detection dogs to secure schools, businesses, and events—before violence ever occurs.

The idea stemmed from Lemay’s growing realization that many schools lacked affordable and effective ways to prevent gun violence.

“I started researching detection dogs in schools and found only one high school in the Bay Area had them,” Lemay says. In this gap, he spotted an opportunity to offer a service that kept schools safe and made students and staff feel more secure.

Bullseye K9 was born, and Lemay began his journey of transforming how schools think about safety.

“I wanted our dogs to feel like part of the community,” Lemay explains. “The goal isn’t just detection; it’s creating an environment where the dogs aren’t seen as intimidating but as friendly, approachable members of the school.”

The K-9 Edge: How Firearms Detection Dogs Work

Bullseye K9 trains dogs using the "stew method" and provides dogs with a coveted reward, a ball, when they find a firearm or firearm-related item.

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IMAGE: Bullseye K9 Detection

So how do these highly trained K-9s sniff out weapons? Firearms detection dogs are specially trained to detect the odors of gunpowder, ammunition, and other chemicals associated with firearms. Their acute sense of smell allows them to find hidden weapons, even in tricky environments, Lemay explains.

Bullseye K9 dogs are trained using the “stew method,” where a variety of related items—guns, ammunition, cleaning solvents—are placed in a detection box. When the dog shows interest, they’re rewarded with a ball. This positive reinforcement builds their ability to recognize the scent of firearms.

Over time, the dogs are also exposed to various environments and situations, including crowded places, slippery floors, and open spaces, ensuring they can perform in any setting.

“It's different from traditional methods,” Lemay admits. “Some trainers prefer to teach individual scents first, but we give the dogs the full picture right away. That way, they understand the full spectrum of what they need to detect.”

Changing Minds About K-9s in Schools

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IMAGE: Bullseye K9 Detection

At first, schools were hesitant about Bullseye K9’s services, Lemay admits. The presence of dogs conjured up images of police officers and heightened tension, leading some parents and administrators to worry their presence might make students feel uncomfortable.

But Lemay and his dogs soon proved these concerns were unfounded.

“I didn’t want the dogs to be seen as just tools,” he says. “I wanted them to be part of the school experience—approachable, friendly, and a source of comfort, not fear.”

That approach is working. Lemay recalls one student who, after a fight, began visiting one of the dogs every day. “She hasn’t had a fight since,” he says. “It’s amazing how just spending time with a dog can have such a positive impact.”

The dogs are also serving a dual purpose. In addition to detecting firearms, Bullseye K9 dogs are trained to detect drugs like fentanyl—another growing concern in schools. The presence of these dogs deters potential threats and offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with law enforcers in a more personal, positive way.

Bullseye K9’s program is flexible, with schools purchasing a set number of “searches” per year—often averaging two searches per month. Lemay says these searches can be scheduled in advance or in response to an urgent need, like a tip-off about potential threats.

“The program’s adaptable nature allows it to fit seamlessly into a school’s schedule, ensuring that security measures don’t disrupt daily life,” he says.

The dogs and their handlers also work to build rapport with students and staff. “It’s about fostering trust,” Lemay explains. “Our handlers often mentor students, especially those who might not have someone else to talk to. It’s not just about sniffing out weapons; it’s about building relationships.”

Targeting the Future

Looking ahead, Lemay’s mission is clear: to expand the program to more schools, ensuring that students across the Bay Area—and beyond—can benefit from this innovative approach to safety.

As the program continues to grow, Lemay remains committed to adapting his methods to fit the unique needs of each school district, keeping safety front and center while making sure the dogs are beloved by students.

“If we can keep kids safe and make them feel comfortable, then we’re doing something really important,” Lemay concludes. It’s a statement that speaks not only to the value of the dogs in the program but also to the potential for a new, more holistic approach to school safety.

Bullseye K9 is more than just a business—it’s a new frontier in the fight against gun violence, one sniff at a time.

Dogs have become Lemay’s passion and working with kids is just the icing on the cake.

“I'm not a teacher, but I'm still contributing to the school environment in a way that’s very satisfying,” he says. “It is nice to be able to do something where I am working with kids and protecting them. It’s a fantastic way to wind down my career.”