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.

David Houldsworth Nottinghamshire Police

Dave Houldsworth (retired Pc 156/956), the man I have to thank for introducing me to my career with Police Dogs.

Dave Houldsworth, Ray Wood and Tony Barnett

Dave, Margaret and son Duncan

Dave Houldsworth and Joe Lloyd

Dave Houldsworth and Brian George

Sorry dates and Police dogs names not known.

Dave has sent me these photos so, hopefully, he can update me with the missing details.

Police Dog Competition

Police Dog Competition Staffordshire County Show 1964

RSPCA citation 1982 to Police Dog and Handler

RSPCA citation 1982 to Police Dog and Handler

Old time Cops, Derbys.

Either Heanor Section or Langley Mill taken around 1905/6   The one arrowed is Don Batterham's grandfather   William DOBBwho was born at Eakring, Nottinghamshire.  

Okay, nothing to do with Police Dogs but I could not resist posting it because of the Nottinghamshire connection.

More Derbyshire Police Dog Section

Sergeant Derek Heal (right)  Constable Kelvin Boam - Hq  Training field circa  1984

Note the Gannex patrol jacket as modelled by Don circa 1963/64

In memory PC 1570 Ged Walker

Many will remember PC Ged Walker . January 9th this year was the 10th year since his death and to commemorate this a pin has been designed. This is on sale through Nottinghamshire  Police and all monies raised will be donated to Care of police survivors a charity which has been of great support to the family of Ged. For those who wish to find out more about this charity the website details are as follows www.ukcops.org 

Police Dog Patrol vehicle

A day out to Bakewell, Derbyshire.

I was surprised to see the age of vehicles still being used for patrol purposes. I wonder what mileage this '05' plate had on the clock. However, it is a good advert for Vauxhall.

I will have to take a closer look at the vehicles being used in my home county.

Pc's Don Batterham (Derbys) and Ken Rollin (Notts City)

A day off on Skegness beach in 1963 (Don left, Ken right)

Pc Diederik Coetzee

Please see my previous in November 2011

I had the pleasure of meeting Diederik and his wife today for the first time whilst they were at a local supermarket. From the horrific injuries he suffered, his progress in recovery, guts and determination, combined with his beaming smile are a pure inspiration. What more can I do than reiterate my admiration and again wish him and his family all the very best for the future, including  'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'. With the hope that he may read this 'blog' I would invite all other readers to also send him their good wishes via 'comments'.

Nottinghamshire Police Dogs

Taken sometime in the 1960s at Plessey Communications in Nottingham. 

The Notts Police Dog team that day were.......

 

Left to right. PcJohn Coulson with Solo. Pc Dick Binch with Baron. Pc Ted Johnson with Saton. Pc 'Dixie' Dean with Shadow, and Pc Geoff Tindle with Rusty.

Nottinghamshire Police

Nottinghamshire Police recruiting brochure from the early 1960's featuring Pc John Coulson and Police Dog 'Solo'

Nottinghamshire Police Horses

Sadly they have now been confined to 'history'.

This was my only experience of being sat astride one in the 80's. I was okay until it moved!