Four new police patrol canine groups are actually educated up and able to go after graduating from the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham at this time.
Four totally different districts profit from this newly graduated cohort and the graduates can be heading to 4 totally different areas all through New Zealand.
With eight years entrance line policing expertise Constable Mike and his 20-month-old patrol canine Fawn are heading again to Whangarei for work. Mike has been concerned as a member of the Tactical Dog Teams as a part of the brand new Police Tactical Response Model. Mike has been fortunate sufficient to have Fawn since she was eight weeks old. “Receiving a police puppy at the age of eight weeks makes it a long road to becoming a handler, but it’s been enjoyable and a real eye-opener to the amount of work that is put into our dogs. Passing the course with Fawn, feels like even more of an accomplishment from having her from such a young age until now,” he says.
Constable Ben from Canterbury District graduated alongside his canine Welles. Ben has six years entrance line policing together with specialist squads and he and three-year-old Welles can be based mostly in Timaru. “Welles is a great dog, loves going for rides in the ute and enjoys swims in the river – he’s just part of the family,” says Ben.
Constable Chelsea graduated with three-year-old Helo. Chelsea has six years’ expertise, predominantly in Counties Manukau earlier than selecting Wellington and Dog Section as a profession development. Helo and Chelsea ought to hit the bottom working after they begin subsequent week. “I was fortunate to pick up an operational dog and Helo is a pro; she knows what she’s doing and has taught me a lot,” says Chelsea.
Four New Zealand Customs canine groups graduated additionally alongside their police colleagues at this time; Justin and Koha, Taylor and Kahu, Cheryl and Kiwa and Jodie and Tāne.
On prime of the newly graduated groups, two Wellington Dog groups have been recognised for his or her good work over the past 12 months.
Receiving the Erridge Cup was Constable Jordan Steegh and Patrol Dog Manaia – Dog who have been nominated and gained the award for Best Performance by a Patrol Team of their first operational 12 months (2022-23).
And successful the Overton Cup was Constable Andy Rutherford and Patrol Dog Webb. They have been nominated and gained Best Trainee Dog Team for 2022-23.
Chris de Wattignar, Deputy Commissioner: People, Leadership and Culture congratulated the brand new Police groups, plus the cup winners saying all groups have a key function in some risky, difficult and dynamic conditions.
“My sincere congratulations – it’s a proud day for you all and thank you for your commitment to what is such an integral part of our style of policing in New Zealand,” he mentioned. “We talk about patrol dog teams being at the front of the frontline and that’s very much the truth of the team’s role. You will be called on to take a lead role at the frontline, day and night.”
“You will work in situations where you will encounter challenges and risks, where you will be called on to use all your training and your highly trained dog to resolve or help resolve those situations. I know you have a passion for working with dogs and a real drive to be successful in that work,” he says.
Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs, says the brand new groups have labored laborious of their districts and on formal programs to qualify as operational. “This event marks the end of your formal training to become an operational team and heralds the next step in your duties,” he says.
“Being a dog handler brings 24-hour seven days a week responsibilities – looking after the care and wellbeing of these fantastic canine assets.”
All the groups have labored very laborious for this, and they are going to be actual belongings of their districts and the communities they serve,” he says.
The commencement was attended by whānau and pals of the graduates in addition to Andrea Conlan, Deputy Chief Executive: Strategy & Performance, Jill Rogers, Assistant Commissioner Leadership, Talent & Development and Superintendent Warwick Morehu, Director of Training, Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) and representatives from New Zealand Customs Service.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
