Colin Westwood

It is with regret that that I have been informed of the death of an old Dog Section Colleague, Colin (Strangler) Westwood.

The funeral is to be held at 10.30am Friday 13 December 2013 at Linby Parish Church, Nottinghamshire followed by cremation at Mansfield at 11.30am   

My condolences to his family.

   

Retired Nottinghamshire Police Dogs to be looked after in retirement.

Nottinghamshire police dogs are to be given their own pensions worth up to £1,500 each, which comes into play next month.The scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and will ensure the animals have medical bills paid for them after they retire which, in my opinion, has been long overdue. It is however limited to £500 per year for veterinary expenses for maximum of 3 years.

Nottinghamshire Police officers including those who work with the force's 26 dogs welcomed the move – saying they see the dogs as fellow cops.

Re-homing of retired Police Dogs

I have been asked my views of the re-homing of retired Police Dogs. 

There is no problem with Police Dogs retiring to the care and comfort of the home of the handler. When this does happen, ownership, rights and responsibilities are transferred. However to re-home such dogs in to a pet environment with another family is, in my opinion, fraught with ‘danger’. These highly trained dogs, without proper supervision, can instinctively react to circumstances that would make them highly dangerous to the public. There can be no litigation or blame held against the manner of training or the previous Police ownership.
It would be no defence to say they are a ‘retired Police Dog’, more an admission of having a dog ‘out of control’.

Sadly euthanasia is quite often necessary and justifiable.

The Sherwood Forest Police Dog Competition

Sad to say but this Competition dedicated to the memory of Pc Ged Walker has been cancelled due to lack of entries

The Sherwood Forest Police Dog Competition

The Sherwood Forest Police Dog Competition will be held in the grounds of Thorseby Hall Estate, in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday 22 September 2013.

The event, hosted by Nottinghamshire Police dog section is held in memory of PC 1570 Ged Walker who died in service.

The competition will run from 8.30am to 5pm. Entry is free and parking is available in the grounds.

Diederik Coetzee

News quote

'Diederik Coetzee has been forced to retire on medical grounds after joining the force in 1999.

He served as the beat officer on Mansfield’s Ladybrook Estate.

The supercop made a national record of 309 arrests in ten months in 2005 earning him the title and he has also been awarded for his bravery with numerous awards.

In 2006, Mr Coetzee again made the headlines for topping the national record of arrests in 12 months by ‘nicking’ 404 criminals.'

My best wishes to Diederik and his family and I do hope he fulfils his ambition to keep working, it is just a shame that, according to the Press, Nottinghamshire Police are doing nothing to assist him in his quest.

Derbyshire Police Dog Section

More historical photos, with thanks to Don Batterham

Left is Pc. Bob ALLEN with PD  Tosca  - right is Pc Pete Hallam with Pd  Shane.

Scene of armed robbery at Staveley circa 1977

 Left to right    Pc Hallam with PD Shane   Pc Les Newton with Czar - Pc Derek Heal with Digger - Pc Derek  Woolley with PD  Carl.

Search of murder scene Alderwasley circa 1974

Pc Pete Hallam and PD Shane, mid 80's

Police Dog Section cutbacks

It is unusual for me to enter the political spectrum on this 'blog' but having read that Police Dog Sections are all falling under the axe, latterly South Yorkshire, I feel I must agree with many who say, "Don't look at the front line, look at higher ranks". Does the Police Service need so many highly paid supervisors? Duplicitous ranks i.e Chief Inspectors, Chief Superintendents, Assistant Chief Constables coupled with the likes in the Civillian employees.
Police Dogs provide an excellent service and have always been undervalued.

John Rebaudi

Reproduced with the kind permission of John Rebaudi with the forward by Don Batterham

 Pc 260 John  Rebaudi with Notts Police Dog Wotan..      John joined the Derbyshire Dog Section in 1969 on promotion from Nottingham  County Police.    He took charge in the early years of amalgamation of the Derbyshire and Borough Police.   He  introduced Night training along with  other good  sound training   methods.  He left the section after some years on promotion by which time it had increased in size.

Eastern Regional Champions trophy for 1973 Pc John Coulson and Sam, Notts Police

Thanks to John for this one

Bob Collins

Many police dog handlers will remember Bob as the saddler & leather worker who, for almost 65 years, supplied police dog sections all over the country with the leads, collars, bite sleeves and all the other bits and pieces required.  Bob and his wife Kath always had a warm and friendly welcome for any police dog handler when they called in to 'Rec Road' to collect their orders.

Bob died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness at 3.15am this morning, (14/6/13), he was 88 and a half years of age and continued working until shortly before he died.  

Funeral arrangement have not yet been arranged but will be posted on the Surrey Police Retired Comrades site,(http://blog.old-and-bold.info) when known.

Bob's wife Kath passed away three or four years ago but his son Robin continues the work Bob was part of for so many years.

Another sad loss to the police dog family.

I agree and thanks to Denis, retired Surrey Police Dog Sgt for this information. My condolences to his family.

Police Dog Rossi, Nottinghamshire Police

Rossi the Nottinghamshire Police dog disarmed axeman

A man who drunkenly brandished an axe and threatened to hurt a police dog has been jailed.

Rossi the dog jumped 8ft (2.4m) and grabbed the axe from Adrian Dowdall, then dropped the axe and held his arm to stop him getting away.

Dowdall, 36, of Bentinck Close, Boughton, Nottinghamshire, has been jailed for 160 days

He pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to having a bladed article in a public place.

The court heard Dowdall had drunk between 10 and 15 cans of lager at a friend's house the previous afternoon.PC Rogers was patrolling on 24 November when he was asked to attend Bentinck Close, in Boughton, at about 05:15 GMT.

"He made threats to harm the dog. He kept coming towards me and held it aloft in his right hand in a threatening manner."

PC Rogers then deployed Rossi.

"The dog has leapt up, taken hold of the axe, spat the axe out and detained the male... got hold of him by his left arm," he said.

As explained to me, "This dog may look like a goat but has the courage and teeth of a lion".

Ford Cortina Mk3 2000cc Police patrol car

Couldn't resist putting this on the blog. Mansfield Police Station yard 1973, my previous posting (Traffic Dept.) before going to the dogs!  Thanks to Tony Parkin for this one.

Just a shame it isn't a photo RNN 626L I couldn't break it. I tried everything so that I could swap it for the new Triumph Dolomite Sprint and didn't succeed! If Ford had known I'm sure they could have used my efforts in their advertising.
In the background is the petrol pump. To issue petrol you had to go into the station, get the key for the pump. Draw the petrol, lock it back up, take the key back and sign the petrol issue sheet. Because so many Officers forgot to take the key back, it was finally secured to a chair leg. The biggest key ring on record.

Sherwood Lodge Nottingham

Sherwood Lodge, prior to demolition to make way for the new Police Headquarters

Police Dog Team commended.

More than a hundred officers and staff and a police dog have been recognised for the part they played in responding to the violent disorder which hit Nottingham in August 2011.

The commendations ceremony took place at the Albert Hall, in Nottingham, just down the road from Canning Circus police station, which was petrol bombed during the riot and violent disorder.

Chief Constable Chris Eyre was joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, to commend the commitment, cooperation and sheer determination displayed throughout Operation Constantia.

Individual awards, as well as team commendations, were presented including:

• PC Leigh Whitehead and Police Dog Ritchie – who were involved in many of the arrests.

Nice to see a Police Dog and Handler commended!

William Dobb Derbyshire Police

Couldn't resist posting this one.

William DOBB born Eakring Notts 1875.  He joined Derbyshire Constabulary in Jan 1900 and was kept on to serve through the war years. 

This photo comes from 1902/03 a real piece of history from Derbyshire, although once again nothing to do with Police Dogs other then the genealogy of Don Batterham (dog handler retired), thanks to him for this!

Dogging

The introduction to my book, 'With Courage and Trust' has once more been brought to my notice for all the wrong reasons. Yes, I still have to laugh!
In those days Dogging meant competition 'dog trials' and I suppose we had many gay or should I say happy days.

National Police Dog Trial 2013 - result

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary police officer won the top prize at the 53rd National Police Dog Trials in South Wales.

PC Nick Dalrymple (right)  alongside police dog Aden, achieved the highest score in the championship at 851, scooping the Jordan Shield.

The pair competed alongside 20 top police dogs and handlers from across forces in England, Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Police Gala Day Epperstone Manor 1994

Dog demonstration

1960's Police Dogs

BBC4 looks back   see link  http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01qhl0b/
See also direct link (to left of page)

Fifth National Police Dog Trials 1962

Thanks to Don Batterham for these

Regional Police Dog Trials Wentworth Hall 2013

Nottinghamshire Police Dog 'Beano' remains top dog after coming first in this year’s regional Police Dog Trials.

His canine colleague Leo took second place in the two-day competition, held at Wentworth Hall, near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, on Wednesday and Thursday this week (20 and 21 March 2013).

Six-year-old Beano and handler PC Dave Gough scored 910 points out of a possible 1,000 and Leo, aged five, and PC Gavin Berry took 802 points.

The German Shepherd and Malinois cross unleashed outstanding performances and as a result have qualified for the 53rd National Police Dog Trials, to be hosted by South Wales Police, at Margam Country Park in Port Talbot between 5 and 7 April.

PC Gough said: “We are delighted but we don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves, so we're aiming for top 10."

National Police Dog Trials 2013

53rd National Police Dog Trial

Hosted by South Wales Police at 'Margam Country Park', a country park estate of around 850 acres, situated in Margam, about 2 miles from Port Talbot in south Wales

5th, 6th & 7th April 2013 from 10am - 5pm

This prestigious event will be attended by top police dogs and their handlers from

Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Police Dog Axel given award at Crufts

Police Dog Axel, Fife Constabulary, collected the 2012 Police Dog Humanitarian Action Award at the dog show alongside handler PC Craig Menzies in recognition of his four hour long track which led to the rescue of a missing woman who had fallen down a ravine.

Nottinghamshire Police Dog history 1960's

 On bed with John Rebaudi (right).  Terry Cain Leeds Dog Sgt.

Standing, Gordon Cain (Terry's brother)   

Front row,  Notts  Jack Smithhurst, Ray W Wood, Dennis Scott and Jock Wilson.   

Photo's taken in 1964 at the SV trials at Kassel, Germany.

John Rebaudi with PD Wotan

With Ray Wood

Many thanks for these photos from Sarah Wood and further information from John Rebaudi

Police Dog Peach/Pc Peach and the Crown Prosecution Service

It seems that the CPS have taken exception to this statement when mistaking the name of Police Dog Peach for that of a Police Constable, West Midlands Force and asking for a witness statement. It has now hit the National Press and I think it is deserving of a place in Police Dog History.

Pc Dave Simpson and PD Prince Leicestershire

Another one from Dave Simpson with PD Prince c1970's

Pc Fred Holtby, North Riding Police Dogs

Pc Fred Holtby, Guisborough

My thanks to his daughter Chris for these

Nottingham City Police Standing Orders 1929

Although my research indicates the use of a Police Dog by Nottingham City Police from 1910, I can find no mention of such use in a subsequent 'Standing Order' close to that time.

An extract, purely for interest, is as follows:-

NOTTINGHAM CITY POLICE STANDING ORDERS

Issued by Lieut.-Col. FRANK BROOK, D…SO., M.C.

Chief Constable

Chief Constable’s Office

Guildhall

Nottingham

1^st January, 1929.

STANDING ORDER No 1.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Each constable will be enrolled for 2 years on probation which may be extended for a period of six months.

During to probationary period he will be required to attend                                                                     Education, Police Duty, First Aid, Drill and Physical Training, and Swimming and Life Saving Classes provided, and to pass examinations therein.

A constable on probation will be dismissed if he is not likely to become an efficient officer.

 He will devote his whole time to the Police service of the City. He is not permitted to hold any other office or employment or carry on any other trade or calling. He is not allowed, without the Chief Constable’s permission, to reside at any place where is wife or any member of his family carries on any business.

 He will serve and reside where directed.

He is not permitted, without the consent of the Chief Constable, to receive  lodger or sub-let a part of the house which he occupies, whether such house is provided by the Police Authority or not.

     He is to obey promptly all lawful orders given by persons placed in authority over him, and to conform to all rules and regulations of the Force made from time to time.

     Single men desirous of marrying must first obtain the sanction of the Chief Constable.

     The pay of each rank is fixed by the scale adopted for the Force. Two Special Advances and two Additional Increments are obtainable by constables under conditions laid down in Police Regulations. In accordance with the Police Pensions Act, 1921, a deduction of five per cent. Is made from pay towards superannuation.

 Rent, Boot, and other allowances are granted according to regulations in force.

     Police uniform and accouterments will be supplied free and he will appear in such uniform at all times when on duty unless otherwise directed.

 The normal daily period of duty is eight hours, performed in one tour with an interval for refreshment, but the period of duty may be extended when necessary.

 Every member of the Force is granted annual leave of absence from duty according to the scale laid down, in addition to one day in seven. Officers off duty must leave their addresses at their houses or lodging when they go out of the City.

 Qualifying Examinations must be passed before officers will become eligible for promotion to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector.

 The services of a Police Surgeon are provided for members of the Force.

A deduction is made from pay during sickness as follows:

Inspectors                 2/- per day

Sergeants                 1/6 per day

Constables               1/- per day

 No deduction is made when an officer is certified “Inured on duty”

 He shall not resign or withdraw himself from his duties unless allowed to do so in writing by the Chief Constable, or unless he shall have given the Chief Constable one month’s previous notice in writing. If he resigns or withdraws without leave or notice he is liable to forfeit all pay due and to be charged before a Magistrate.

 He will be liable to dismissal for unfitness, negligence or misconduct.

In the event of dismissal or resignation he shall forthwith return every article of clothing and accouterments, and other necessaries supplied to him for the execution of his duties. If such articles have been improperly used or damaged he will be required to make good such damage.

     He will not retain gratuities without permission of the Chief Constable.

 He is not permitted to be a member of any Trade Union or Political Society. Any member of the Force joining such society or union will cease automatically to be a police officer.

 Constables will be expected to take an active part in the Athletic Club and the organisations connected with the Force

     He will be subject to the Police Regulations of 1920, made by the Secretary of State and subsequent amendments thereto.