New Police Dog Training Maual

Although yet to be on the bookshelves it can now be accessed on http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/uniformed/2011/201103UOPDogsMoG1.1.pdf (see also link)
I have yet to read it, but it looks very comprehensive

National Police Dog Trials 2012

The National Police Dog Trials 2012

The Trials are being hosted by Surrey Police at their Police Headquarters near Guildford from the 27th to the 29th of April 2012.

The event itself is open to the public on Sunday the 29th April from 10.00 am at Mount Browne, and is being incorporated into The Family Fun Day, an event which has drawn very large crowds in recent years. If you would like to see the top Police dogs in the country being put through their paces along with other attractions such as the Force helicopter, the widely acclaimed Essex Dog Display Team , many other sideshows and attractions along with a chance to see members of our firearms team in action then come along from 10.00 am.

The trials consist of various practically based phases at various venues over the four days.These include tracking, searching for persons and property and criminal work. The only phase that is open to public viewing is what is known as phase III and this consists of obedience, agility and criminal work, and this takes place on the sportsfield at Surrey Police Headquarters, Mount Browne. Guildford.

To gain access to the event the Park and Ride facility will be open in Artington and a fleet of mini-buses will convey you to the sportsfield at Surrey Police HQ.

Liverpool City Police Dog Section

11 June 1992, needs no further introduction

Police Dog Section 1963

Con 146 M Bob Davies and PD Prince January 1963

HM Inspection circa 1964

Reproduced with the kind permission of Brian Starkey www.liverpoolcitypolice.co.uk (there is a link from my blog to this site)

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 ?