Nottinghamshire Police Dog Section recruiting German Shepherds

The force is looking to recruit a number of German Shepherds under two-years-old to join the fight against crime.

The dogs, which can be male or female, will be assessed to check their suitability. If successful they may become an essential part of tracking down criminals and helping to detect crime.

If the donated dogs fail to pass the tests the force can return them to their owner or rehome them with a suitable family.

PC Leigh Whitehead said: "There may be members of the public who have a young German Shepherd who they would consider donating to us to train up as a police dog. If so, we would love to put them through their paces to see if they can become part of our team.

"All our dogs live with their dog handlers and build a bond like no other. If anyone would be kind enough to donate their young dogs to us, we will gladly take them and hopefully they can pass the test and help us catch criminals and make life better for everyone."

For more information contact PC Leigh Whitehead or Andy Pickersgill on 101.

Stanley Edwards Peck C.B.E., B.E.M., Q.P.M., D.L., O., St. J.

An Officer and a Gentleman, the founder of National Police Dog Trials and member of Nottinghamshire NARPO. A sad loss.

PECK Stanley Edwards C.B.E., B.E.M., Q.P.M., D.L., O., St. J., aged 98 years. Former Chief Constable of Staffordshire and one of H.M. Inspectors of Constabulary, Home Office, passed away peacefully on Friday, 24th January, 2014. Beloved husband of the late Yvonne (Jessop) and present Elizabeth (Beddows), much loved father of Jo, Angela, John, Tim, Charles and Jenny and his 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral service to be held at St. Mary's Church, Ickleton, Cambs, on Wednesday, 12th February, at 12.15pm. Family flowers only please but, if desired, donations made payable for Cancer Research UK to Peasgood and Skeates Funeral Directors, 45 Moorfield Road, Duxford, Cambridge. CB22 4PP.Tel: 01223 833463.Peasgood and Skeates

Published in Cambridge News from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2014

Through to the Police National Dog Trials 1975

Thanks to Alan Pickles

This is a cutting from the "West Yorkshireman" News paper for May 1975. The group photo shows on either end, Colin Ogley, West Yorks sergeant and Pete Shingler, Leeds sergeant. The group in the centre are L to R. as viewed, Colin Thistlewood, Alan ? Claude ? and ? ? . 

Twelfth National Champion Police Dog Trials

Thanks again to Alan Pickles

No 3 District Regional Police Dog Trials 1964

More from Alan Pickles

No 1 (North West Region) Police Dog Trials 1974

11th - 14th March
Thanks to Alan Pickles for these.

No3 Region Police Dog Trials 1977

These photographs were taken between 14th &17th March at RAF Syerston.
Kindly supplied by retired Pc 'Chic' Fraser with his dog Rory.

Petition to protect Police Dogs on Duty

Police dogs should be recognised as serving members of the service so criminals face tougher punishments if they decide to attack the canines, a campaigner has said. 

Dave Hibbert, who set up the Retired West Midlands Police Dog Benevolent Fund, says offenders facing the minor charge of criminal damage for injuring police dogs is not good enough. 

If you agree please sign the following petition   http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/57585

No2 Police District Dog Handlers reunion 2008

Can anyone put names to those on the photographs from this reunion on 4 October 2008

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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.