Coppers Channel 4 programme

Anyone watching the Channel 4 programme Coppers, Monday 20 February 2012, Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section will have seen Steve Abbott relate to the fact that his worst injury was being bitten on the testicles. This was around 20 years ago. My Police Dog Laser, for no apparent reason went up to Steve, bit him and then turned and came back to me. We were not in a training situation and he had done nothing to provoke it. It did take him to his knees and he was bruised for months.

An accident, a moment of lack of control, I was to blame. Dogs are dogs no matter what and the unexpected can always happen. Steve did eventually forgive me but I don't know about Laser.

I do worry about these 'fly on the wall' programmes!

Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section 1960's

L to R being Jack Smithurst Pc 189 (later Sgt.); Pc 45 Joe Lloyd; Pc 354 Dennis Harrison; Pc 323 Jim (Jock) Cuthbertson.
Many thanks to to Dennis and his daughter Sue for this photograph

Retirement

I will soon be retiring from my second career, with time to relax.

16 years since leaving the Dog Section I still have vivid memories of the 'good times' and hope this blog will continue to attract new photographic entries for its history to continue.

Oldham Borough Police

This has been copied from a 'Comment' on my blog.

Anonymous Jan 23, 2012 07:20 AM

Of interest?

Once upon a time, the 1960's to be most accurate, Oldham Borough Police did not have one single police dog.

But very early one morning two dodgy looking young men walked up to the charge desk and stood there without saying a word.

"What do you two want?" said the Sergeant" "We have been arrested," said one of the young men.

Puzzled the Sergeant looked round the charge room, not a police officer in sight, the men were apparently on their own.

Then in walked the B.T. police dog Storm, "Oh I see now" said the quick thinking Sergeant, we shall have to get one of them."

True to his word, within two weeks an Oldham officer was sent down to Elstree's B.T. Police Dog Training School; supplied with a

police dog and given his first lessons in police dog training by the legendary Terry Shelton ex Metropolitan Police Dog Instructor

and former Naval Marine of great distinction.

The two men had been caught red handed stealing parcels off the deck at Oldham Clegg St Parcel's Depot by Storm.

P.C Walpole the beat Bobby at the Depot, said "You know where the Police Station is, off you go."

Half way up Clegg St, one of them said to the other one, "Don't be a bloody idiot, that is exactly what they want you to

do."

And that is exactly how Oldham police got their very first police dog. Manchester already had police dogs with Inspector Morris

and Sergeant Fred Leigh in charge, they knew Storm very well, as they trained together every week at that time.

Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section 1970's

This photograph shows Pc Frazer with PD Rory and PD Flak. I wonder where Pc Hagen was at the time and who took the photo.

Oldham Borough Police Dog Section

Please log on to the following for a 1950's video look into Oldham Borough Police Dog Section.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmpolice1/5120580095/

Leicestershire Police - Mike Hurrell

Above is Pc Beanie Moeller with Police Dog Simon (Originally a Nottinghamshire Police Dog Handler who then transferred to Staffordshire)

These photographs produced with the kind permission of retired Police Dog Section Inspector Mike Hurrell who competed in the National police Dog Trials of 1968 and 1972 (Preston, Police Dog Cobber Reserve Champion)

Pc Diederik Coetzee Nottinghamshire Police

25 November 2011

Originally from Johannesburg, Mr Coetzee joined Notts Police in 1999 after working as a dog handler for the South African city's police force.

Mansfield South beat officer PC Diederik Coetzee, aged 54, is in a critical but stable condition at King’s Mill Hospital following the collision in Blidworth Lane at about 6pm.

He was cycling towards Blidworth when a vehicle struck him from behind. The motorist failed to stop following the collision.

Debris from the scene indicates the vehicle may be metallic dark grey in colour with front-end damage to the bumper, grill and at least one of the lights.

The Force’s Crash Investigation Team is trawling through CCTV footage from the surrounding area and local beat teams are making further enquiries.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ged Hazelwood said: “Blidworth Lane is a poorly illuminated thorough-way but the collision happened during rush hour, when many people were headed home from work.

“PC Coetzee was wearing a high-visibility vest and had his bike lights turned on.

“Did you see what happened? Have you seen a grey car with damage to its front-end? Anyone with any information should contact us.”

Local garages and car repairers are also being urged to be vigilant for a vehicle matching the above description.

Deputy Chief Constable Chris Eyre said: “Local officers are providing support and regular updates to PC Coetzee and his family at this very difficult time. Our thoughts and best wishes are with them.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about the outstanding vehicle are being urged to contact the Crash Investigation team on 101 extension 800 2225 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

Known locally as "Robocop' Pc Coetzee has an outstanding arrest record.

I, personally, wish him a speedy recovery and hope the offender is quickly brought to justice.

Request for photograph/s Staffordshire Police Dog Section

I have received a request for any photographs from the 1960's showing the Staffordshire Police Dog Training School, in particular Sgt Howells with Police Dog Larry.

Can anyone please oblige?

See my contact details, left-hand column.

Dan Wallace (Dan the Man)

Dan from 1983

The article below has been produced on this site with the kind permission of the Mansfield Chad, reporter Nick Brimacombe

HILDA Wallace knows more than most about the debilitating affects of
Alzheimer's Disease after her husband battled the illness for 12 years.
Dan Wallace, a father and former dog handler for 30 years with
Nottinghamshire Police, lost his fight for life on 29th January - his
wife's birthday.
Since her husband's passing, Hilda and others have continued to raise
money for the Alzheimer's Society and former Chad charity Central Notts
MIND to help raise their profiles and keep the services going.
This week, a new minibus was donated to MIND through the generous
fundraising efforts and officially named after Dan Wallace who also
worked as volunteer bus driver for MIND during his retirement.
"We are honoured as a family that MIND has chosen to dedicate the new
bus that they have just required through donations and fundraising to
Dan by officially naming it Dan the Man," said Hilda.
"Alzheimer's Disease is very individual in how it affects each person,
it is more than just memory loss, it causes total and irrevocable
personality changes."
Dan was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease aged 62 and was
looked after by Hilda with help from staff at MIND, New Outlook and
Mansfield's Alzheimer's Society branch.
"Both MIND and the Alzheimer's Society rely on public generosity through
donations and fundraising," added Hilda.
"Recent cuts in services means that these charities have to work harder
at fundraising so that more local people can be helped."
l Visit www.centralnottsmind.org.

link to chad http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mind_bus_tribute_for_former_volunteer_1_3864668

Police Dogs in Leicestershire 1965

PD 'Copper' on the scale and retired PD 'Rusty' D.Simpson Leicester City Police

Dave Simpson, on the right circa 1965. He has supplied this photograph with a request that no one laughs.

What makes him think anyone would?

Police Dog Trial 1925

I only wish it had sound http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=24021

Police Dog history

I would really welcome comments through my 'Guestbook'

Dave

Police Dogs Hull City

Police Dogs Hull City circa 1950's

Police Constable Roy Bertram Burditt

Retired Police Constable Roy Bertram Burditt who was long serving dog handler in the Leicestershire Constabulary has sadly died (19.08.2011)

Roy would have been known by dog handlers outside of Leicestershire for his many appearances at Regional Police Dog Trials.

His first dog was Simba

Highlighted comment - Tom Benson

Taken from a 'Comment'

I think you should know who was the first ever police dog trainer, he is my uncle Tom Benson, he was called up to the RAF and had trained his dogs he offered them o the RAF but they didn't want them, he then went to the police who not only took the dogs but him aswell. He trained many dogs and men. I am and always will be his proud niece.

(Can anyone supply further details please?)

Police Dog Training book

The following request has been made through this blog:-

Hi. I am looking for the name of a book on dog training I read a long time ago; by one of the first police dog handlers in the UK. I am afraid I do not remember the title of the book or the gentleman's name, all I remember of it is that one of his dogs was name 'Cookie' Can anyone possibly help ?

Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section show winner

HQ/05082011/34 PRESS RELEASE

MIJ THE POLICE DOG HAS HIS DAY

Friday 5 August 2011

Mij the sniffer dog is now the most decorated member of the Nottinghamshire Police dog squad after taking home six rosettes at a dog show last weekend (30 to 31 July 2011).

The Springer Spaniel attended the Ged Walker Memorial Dog Show, held at West Park in Long Eaton.

His handler PC Stuart Hazard said: “We already knew Mij was a special dog with some very special skills, but it was great to be able to show him off, as well as raise money for a cause that resonated so keenly with us within the dog section.

“He’s got more decorations than all of us put together now!”

The dog show has been staged for the past nine years in tribute to PC Ged Walker, a Nottinghamshire Police dog handler who died in the line of duty on 9 January 2003 after being fatally injured by a stolen taxi in Bulwell. He died in hospital two days later of serious head injuries.

In December 2003, 26-year-old David Parfitt was convicted of PC Walker’s manslaughter and was sentenced to thirteen years in prison.

Six-year-old Mij, a Specialist Search Dog trained in the detection and the location of narcotics, firearms, and component parts of firearms and ammunition, was proudly led out into the arena for each class by his best friend Robson, the eight-year-old son of PC Hazard.

The pair received rosettes in the following categories: Best Gun Dog, Best Condition, Agility, Junior Handler, Best Six Legs, The Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home and the Waggiest Tail.

Dog handler PC Andy Pickersgill’s daughter Daisy, 11, also won a Junior Handler rosette with seven-year-old operational and firearm support German Shepherd, Blade.

PC Hazard with Mij and PC Pickersgill with Blade also gave the four hundred attendees a demonstration of the dogs’ skills in searching out drugs and weapons, and capturing fleeing offenders

Organiser Jan Wesley, from The Old Park Farm Dog Training School based in Bilborough, said: “The Notts Police dog section always put on a good show for us, but the added novelty of the kids with the two dogs entering the competitions made it a little bit special this year.

“They loved it. They both had lovely smiles on their faces and were very excited before each class. Considering some of the classes had 30 to 40 entrants they did exceptionally well.

“I think we have recruited two more dog lovers and I fully expect them to be at next year’s show.”

In attendance at this year’s show was PC Walker’s wife Tracy, who took home her own rosette in the gun dog category with Cocker Spaniel Tilly.

More than £1,000 was raised during the show, with proceeds split between the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Foundation, and military charity Help for Heroes.

The mother and sisters of Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, were also at the show. Twenty-six-year-old LCpl Tasker was killed in Afghanistan on 1 March 2011. His sniffer dog Theo died of a seizure shortly after.

The parents of Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe were also in attendance. The 24-year-old dog handler, with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, was killed in Afghanistan on 24 July 2008 alongside his ammunitions and explosives sniffer dog Sasha.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Supplementary to this release is a photo of Robson Hazard, Mij and PC Stuart Hazard at Ged Walker’s Memorial Bench, which is situated outside the Dogs Section at Nottinghamshire Police Headquarters in Arnold.

Mij’s performance in each class is detailed below:

• First place in the Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home class
• Second place in the Junior Handler class
• Third place in the Waggiest Tail class
• Fourth place in the Best Condition class
• Fifth place in the Best Gun Dog class.

Nottinghamshire Dog handlers 1967

See the following video featuring Pc's Brian George and Geoff Tindall

http://www.macearchive.org/Archive/Title/midlands-news-07111967-bomb-scare-at-gem-supermarket/MediaEntry/1328.html

3 Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section Officers being investigated

3 Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section Officers are subject of an internal investigation. 2 of which have been suspended and the 3rd has been transferred to other duties.

This has been subject to 'press' coverage and it has been stated that there has been no allegation of cruelty etc towards the animals under their charge.

The precise nature of the investigation has not been disclosed.