Top police dogs showcase their skills at national skills competition
The country’s top police dogs showed off their skills at Re/ Max Field in Edmonton Sunday, executing commands with precision, speed and the occasional mishap.
The Edmonton Police Service canine unit, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, hosted the 2017 National Championship Trials over the weekend.
The three-day event saw 42 dogs and their handlers from across the country compete in general policing and drug and explosives detection events throughout the city.
A large crowd gathered at the field on Sunday to watch teams compete in the final three general policing events — obedience, agility and criminal apprehension.
The obedience event showcased the dogs’ ability to stay focused and follow commands despite distractions. For the agility test, handlers led dogs through obstacles, with dogs leaping in and out of a minivan through its open windows.
The criminal apprehension event was a crowd favourite as the dogs and their handlers worked to take down three suspects, including one with a gun.
While the dogs showed off their expertise, not all could be perfect.
One dog, Jaegar from the Regina Police Service, slid to a stop near home plate during the obedience event to the delight of the crowd.
Another bit a person during an event on the field.
“It happens,” said Const. Murray Burke, a member of the EPS canine unit and chair of this year’s competition. “It’s a different environment. Dogs can feel the stress of the handler.”
Police dogs are often chosen as puppies and have their progress tracked as they grow up, Burke said.
“Once they’re old enough, at about 18 months, they have their final testing and then we’ll put them into police training,” he said. “Throughout that training they’re evaluated to make sure they’re fit for the job.”
Constables who want to become handlers also have to show their dedication before joining the canine unit.
“In order to (become a handler) you have to play the bad guy for us,” Burke said. “You basically are hiding in buildings, volunteering your time and being the bad guy for us to help us train and get better. If you keep working at it you can eventually get into the canine unit yourself.”