May 02 - RGP Brings Back Dog Section
Following a series of years of not being capable to obtain a Dog Section, the RGP has today announced the reintroduction of five German Shepherds from the South Yorkshire Police that will be trained as General Purpose Patrol Dogs.
Four of the dogs and their respective police handlers commenced training on Monday 29th April 2013. The dogs and their handlers will undergo a rigorous 13 week training course in Gibraltar run by Mick Gentile a Dog Handler Instructor with the South Yorkshire Police. The training includes animal husbandry and welfare as well as aspects of legislation, dog handling skills and tactics.
Members of the public may notice the officers and their dogs undergoing training in different parts of Gibraltar. This is to familiarize the dogs with their working environment and to better prepare both dogs and handlers for this highly specialized role.
The role that this new section will undertake will be one of security, tracking and high visibility patrols. They will provide frontline police officers with an additional tool that can be deployed when required and appropriate.
Handlers and dogs include; PC 171 Martinez with PD Zulu, PC 133 Sanchez Williams with PD Major, PC 51 Olivero with PD Tara and PC 34 Penalver with PD Prince. PD Carly will act as a reserve that will replace any of the other four dogs.
