It’s paws on patrol for ten police dogs and handlers who graduate today from their operational training at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre.
The officers are a mix of experienced handlers qualifying with new dogs and also first time handlers embarking on a new stage of their Police career.
Dunedin first time handlers Constables Marcus Saunders with Vann (18 months) and Regan Wilson with South (23 months) can’t wait to start their first operational shifts.
Constable Saunders joined Police in 2015 and transferred from Invercargill to Dunedin late last year to take up a dog handler position in the city.
He’s had the police bred German Shepherd since Vann was 8 months old.
“The training both at home and at Trentham has been great. There’s a lot to learn including how to read your dog, understand what that flick of the tail or head means, and the skills and techniques for both of us to do the job.”
Colleague Constable Wilson agrees. He’s been a police officer for three years and is graduating with canine partner South (23 months).
The two Dunedin officers have not only been training together, but Vann was fostered by Constable Wilson until the dog was allocated to Constable Saunders.
“A new position then came up in Dunedin earlier this year and I was lucky enough to get it so have team up with South.
“Joining dog section is my dream job. The scenario based training we’ve had has been great for a first time handler. It can be challenging but there’s a lot of support and great to pick up on the experience of the instructors and other handlers.”
All the graduating dogs today are police bred – and they include two sets of brothers. Vann and Vink, and South and Shaq.
The ten handlers graduating today will be working in Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. They are:
• Senior Constable Blair Benson and Vink, Hawke’s Bay
• Senior Constable James Muir and Parko, Tauranga
• Senior Constable Gary Donnelly and Usain, Christchurch
• Senior Constable Andrew Douglas and Tomeke, Wellington
• Constable Adam Thomas and Moon, Gisborne
• Constable Marcus Saunders and Vann, Dunedin
• Constable Regan Wilson and South, Dunedin
• Senior Constable Al Munro and Shaq, New Plymouth
• Constable David Balck and Lomu, Rotorua
• Constable Scott Gosnell and McCaw, Rotorua. Constable Gosnell has in the last five weeks transferred to Hamilton. He qualified as an operational handler with McCaw who will be with him today, but is now working with experienced patrol dog Duke in Waikato. Duke was the former canine partner of Sergeant Scott Robinson, one of the course instructors at the Police Dog Training Centre.
Media are invited to attend today’s ceremony. Please email media@police.govt.nz to indicate your attendance, and arrive at 12.45pm, NZ Police Dog Training Centre, Dante Road, Trentham.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre