Tāmaki Makaurau dog section is mourning the loss of one of their valued canine colleagues with the passing of patrol dog Oden.
Oden, 5, was the beloved team-mate of Constable Casey, who fostered him as a 10-week-old pup. They've been together ever since.
He was Constable Casey's first police dog and the pair trained together, graduating as a dog team in December 2019. Oden went on to qualify as both an AOS and STG dog, becoming one of the most qualified and experienced dogs in the country.
"We were deployed throughout the North Island but primarily Auckland and Northland, and he was responsible for catching a lot of offenders," says Constable Casey.
As well as being an excellent tracker - he once located three wanted offenders after tracking them for five hours through Mangatāwhiri bush - Oden also had a great social game. He was always a favourite with the kids - and adults - during school visits and at community events.
It's no surprise to Constable Casey who says Oden had the perfect temperament.
"He was extremely loyal and we had an awesome bond. He could tell the good guys from the bad guys.
"He could go from tracking and apprehending the baddest of criminals to rolling around on the grass with the kids from next door. He absolutely loved going for big walks in the forest and swims in the ocean."
Sadly, Oden was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer this year and after a very short fight had to be put down last month.
After his diagnosis, Oden spent his last few weeks at home with Constable Casey and his family, living the good life and ruling the house.
"He was an amazing police dog and a much loved member of the family," says Constable Casey.
RIP Oden. Thank you for your service.