Police Minister Hon Anne Tolley will present graduating certificates to eight new patrol dog teams at the Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham on Thursday.
Patrol dog teams are trained to the highest level and operate in an environment that puts prevention at the forefront of their tactical decision making. The skills developed during their training are potentially lifesaving skills.
The average time it takes to train a patrol dog is ten months. Training includes attending the Police Dog Training Centre for a series of courses; an Initial course (four weeks), Intermediate course (two weeks) and then a Final three week course.
The entire course programme uses primarily motivational training techniques to get the best response from the dog. Training involves teaching the dog to track, search for people, search for property and apprehend violent or dangerous suspects. Obedience exercises are also taught such as heelwork, distance control (getting the dog to sit, down, stand at up to 25 metres from the handler), speak on command, agility (ie to jump fences, long distances), formal retrieve and food refusal.
The graduating teams are:
• Senior Constable James Muir with ‘Eli’ from Tauranga (James’s 2nd dog).
• Senior Constable Mike Evans with ‘Zeus’ from Auckland (Mike’s 2nd dog).
• Constable Tim Roy with ‘Gill’ from Timaru (Tim’s 2nd dog).
• Senior Constable Andrew Knox with ‘East’ from Hawke’s Bay (Andrew’s 3rd dog).
• Senior Constable Tom Frost with ‘Gordy’ from Christchurch (Tom’s 3rd dog).
• Constable Justin Moore with ‘Iso’ from Auckland (Justin’s 2nd dog).
• Sergeant Dave Templeton with ‘Grizz’ from Auckland (Dave’s 7th dog).
• Constable Richard Clay with ‘Otto’ from Waikato (Richard’s 1st dog).
In graduating with his 7th dog, Sergeant Dave Templeton is also marking 28 years as a frontline dog handler.
Dave joined the dog section in 1985 and since then has received numerous awards and commendations including:
• New Zealand Bravery Decoration for assisting in the apprehension of Antoine Dixon (dog deployed on cordon duties only).
• Silver Merit Award with police dog Rick for capturing Travis Burns.
• Commissioner’s commendations with Police dogs Rick and Sabre.
• Certificate of Appreciation from Counties Manukau Police with ‘Rick’ for locating aggravated robbery suspects.
Grizz is a gift dog, bred at the Heisenberg Kennels in Manawatu.
The graduation ceremony takes place at the Police Dog Training Centre, Dante Road, Trentham, at 10am on Thursday 26 September. Media are welcome to attend.
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Media contact: Penelope Clevely (Penny) Communications Manager | RNZPC | New Zealand Police DDI: 04 2383 572 Mobile: 021 326 922. penelope.clevely@police.govt.nz