With 27 dog handlers, two Sergeants and their charges responding to a range of incidents from searching for a missing person to tracking down a burglar – The Beds and Herts Dog Unit plays a vital role in the fight against crime.
Today the Unit has 27 dog handlers who provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, patrolling with their dogs within Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Each officer handles a German Shepherd or similar breed which is trained to track offenders following the trail left by a criminal on the ground. They search for people in buildings and open areas, search for property, chase and detain offenders and protect their handler and other officers in dangerous situations.
Some handlers also have a specialist dog trained to detect drugs, cash, firearms or explosives, which they do through their highly developed sense of smell.
Passive drugs dogs have also recently been introduced to the Unit. These specialist dogs are trained to indicate the presence of drugs being carried by people in public areas.
The drug and explosives dogs are usually proven hard-working breeds such as Springer Spaniels, Labradors and Border Collies. The Unit currently has seventeen drug detection dogs and explosive detection dogs.
In addition, some of the German Shepherds are trained to take on further specialist work. The Unit provides firearms support dogs that are trained to work with their handler in close conjunction with firearms officers at incidents where offenders are potentially armed with guns.
10 other dogs are trained to work closely with Police Support Units at incidents of serious public disorder and rioting.
The Dog Unit can also provide dog control teams to assist officers who are entering premises to search or make arrests. If those officers, or members of the public, are at risk from a dangerous dog in the building, the dog control team will enter first and contain the dog securely, allowing the other officers to safely search the area and make the necessary arrests.
Careers for Canines
The Beds and Herts Dog Unit recruits its dogs from a number of sources, but gift dogs from the public provide the majority of dogs that work on the Unit.
The Dog Unit is always keen to hear from people who may have a dog that is suitable to be trained to become a working police dog.
Does your dog fit the bill?
Dogs that are between one and two years old that are unwanted or have become unsuitable for their home environment can be offered to the Unit for evaluation. If of a suitable breed, a handler will initially visit the dogs in their home and if considered suitable for evaluation arrangements will be made for them to be taken on a short-term trial.
During the trial the dog is assessed, free of charge, to see whether it has the right attributes and temperament to be considered for training as a police dog.
If considered unsuitable the dog will be returned to its owner. If considered a good prospect the owner will be asked to sign the dog over to the Dog Unit. Once a gift dog has successfully completed its’ training it becomes part of the team enjoying a long and worthwhile career with its handler.
Training, success and retirement
When accepted for training the dog is matched to a handler who will work the dog for the rest of its career. Dog and handler train together to become an efficient team whether tracking, searching or chasing criminals.
The initial training course for a German Shepherd lasts for thirteen weeks and includes obedience and agility training in addition to its specialist police tasks. Specialist dogs go on an initial course of eight weeks. All dogs will receive regular training throughout their working life. The dogs are encouraged to learn their new job through praise and reward. Qualities needed to pass the course are high and only the best succeed.
At the end of the course, if successful, the dog will go to work, a strong bond having been forged between dog and handler that will remain throughout its’ working life.
The Unit provides the best of care for its dogs and at the end of a satisfying career when the dog completes its service it can either stay with its handler or be re-homed with a carefully vetted owner who will care for it during its retirement.
Can you help?
Have you got a dog that may be a suitable recruit for the Beds and Herts Dog Unit? Does your dog need a new home? We are looking for suitable dogs between one and two years old, particularly German Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, Labradors and Border Collies, but we will consider any other breeds of dog for their suitability.
Donate a dog
If you have a dog that you think may make a good police dog you can call the Dog Unit on 01234 842860 during office hours.
