Tri-Force has gained five new specialist search dogs today.
The five dogs, alongside their handlers, have been on a seven-week course training to qualify as firearms, cash and drugs search dogs and today they gained their licenses.
From Wiltshire, PC Simon Goodwin and PD Boris the Staffie, PC Karl Dolder and Springer Spaniel PD Meg and PC Bob Laurie and Springer Spaniel PD Ben were joined by Gloucestershire’s PC Shane Collins and PD Bisto the Labrador, and PC Lee Fairman and Bandit the Staffie Collie cross.
Gunner, a spaniel, was also licensed today and is awaiting a handler.
Today, they were presented with their licences by Tri-Force Specialist Operations Dogs Inspector Shane Hawkins.
PC Simon Goodwin, who also works alongside PD Fozzy, a general purpose and firearms dog, said the course had been intense, but enjoyable.
“This was definitely the hardest course I’ve done, but it’s been absolutely amazing to see just how talented these dogs are and the things they can do when trained,” he said.
“A lot of the training has taken place at different kinds of venues and locations, for example we’ve been lucky to be able to search through train carriages, cinemas, all sorts, which is great experience for the dogs.
“The training is like one big game for these dogs, they enjoy it so much and it’s so rewarding training them to sniff out different substances.
“Boris is a lovely dog, and he’s settled in brilliantly with Fozzy. We are looking forward to putting all the training into action now.”
As part of Tri-Force, the dogs are based within Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset or Gloucestershire, but could be called upon to attend incidents in any of these areas.
