Eliza Adamson-Hopper, who has a cat named Mittens and a dog named Susie, wrote a letter to Durham Constabulary asking it to consider enlisting police cats alongside its dogs to paw out crime.
She explained that cats "have good ears and can listen out for danger," according to the letter, which was shared with BBC Newcastle.
Police cats may also help police find their way home if they are lost, she added.
Chief Constable Mike Barton responded to Eliza in a letter, saying he'd bring her "good idea" to the inspector's attention.
He also included a drawing of his own cat, Joey.
Not only did Eliza get a response from the station, she actually got the constabulary to consider bringing on a feline crimefighter into its ranks.
Inspector Richie Allen told BuzzFeed News in a statement on Thursday that the force is now looking into recruiting its first police cat.
"Their duties and responsibilities have not yet been agreed but if nothing else they will become the force mascot," he said. "Of course if it smells a rat we'll expect it to catch it!"
British Transport police previously recruited a cat at King's Cross rail station to catch mice. But the feline species' crimefighting prowess has yet to be rigorously tested in law enforcement.
Either way, it could be paw-some.
