Police dogs graduate and celebrate at Northamptonshire Police headquarters

Four of Northamptonshire Police’s latest police dog recruits completed their operational training and were celebrated at a graduation ceremony at headquarters in Wootton Hall Park on Thursday (October 29).

All four German Shepherds: Ebi, Koda, Boycie and Bryn were each presented with their own collar engraved with their name and unique collar number. They were also provided with their own personalised warrant cards by Chief Constable Nick Adderley and Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley said: “Every police officer, special constable and PCSO who joins Northamptonshire Police are celebrated for their success with a passing out parade, and as our colleagues and protectors, it is only right we equally recognise and celebrate the successes of our police dogs.

“The investment into the section is already producing significant results for our communities, and I am committed to ensuring this continues. A number of further handlers and general purpose dogs will be joining the section in coming months, and after having met two of our newest handlers today, I can confidently say the specialist policing service provided by our Dog Section is second to none and are relentless in their pursuits.”

Each police dog underwent a 13-week course, which covers tracking, searching buildings and open spaces for hidden people, searching for discarded property, bite work, obedience and agility: all critical skills for operational policing.

PC Alex Willatt and PD Boycie were the first to be awarded followed by PC Ash Price and PD Ebi, PC Marta Murray with PD Koda and finally PC Lucy Sculthorpe with PD Bryn.

In celebration of their graduation, each police dog was gifted with a personalised treat, handmade by local Northampton business, ‘JK’s Homemade Dog Treats’.

Northamptonshire Police resolved to issue collar numbers and tags to all serving police dogs - which are each unique and will retire with the dog - after Finn’s Law was introduced in June 2019. Finn’s Law is an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, which makes it an offence to harm or abuse an animal in the line of duty.

The collar numbers are usually assigned based on the seniority of the dog - however, PD Bryn was assigned the number 163 in commemoration to former PD Bryn and his handler, Ian Churms.

PC Ian Churms and former PD Bryn, were called to an address in Irthlingborough in 1998. Ian tried to negotiate with the offender, who was armed with a hunting rifle, but was shot in the leg and then PD Bryn was fatally shot.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold said: “Northamptonshire Police’s dogs and their handlers provide a truly unique policing service to this county. They run towards trouble with unparalleled bravery and loyalty, working hard to protect the public of Northamptonshire.

“They provide a vital service in our ability to fight crime, and I was keen to invest in the dog section – which includes funding the appointment of new recruits and financing the purchase of the latest vehicles - to equip them with the tools needed to continue the fantastic work they are doing.”

PC Steve Thorpe added: “As the Force Training Instructor, I had the privilege of working alongside the handlers and dogs for all or part of their thirteen weeks to develop their team working abilities and prepare them for operational duties.

“The four handlers and dogs who graduated here will be hitting the streets of Northamptonshire and putting their specialist skills to good use in fighting crime and protecting our communities.”

Shortly after Thursday’s ceremony, PC Willatt and PD Boycie - with support from firearms officers - successfully tracked and detained a suspect who possessed an imitation firearm. To keep up to date with the work of the Northamptonshire Police Dog Section, you can follow them on Twitter at @NorthantsDogs.