Notts PC To Defend Top Dog Title

Thu, 18 March 2010 Courtesy of: Police Oracle

The top dog handler in the police is hoping his canine partnership will pay off again as he prepares to defend his title for a third consecutive year.

PC Dave Buckey, of Nottinghamshire Constabulary, is converging on Lincolnshire Police HQ with pooch sidekick Chaz for the National Police Dog Trials from May 6-9.

It will be particularly special if PC Buckley can pull off the treble as 2010 marks the golden anniversary of the competition – and the finals coincide with a public open day.

“The aim of the trials is to encourage the professional development of Police dog handling”

Helen Gilbert, Trials Co-ordinator with Lincolnshire Constabulary, told PoliceOracle.com that this year's event promised to be testing for canine and handler.

She said: "The tests include standoff event, where the dog must find a piece of property belonging to an offender, as well as dealing with a mock weapon attack.

"They will be marked on all elements, and the final will be held during our open day when the public will have the opportunity to see the dogs in action."

Gilbert added that interest in the competition was already significant and expected that the title would again be fiercely contested by talented dog handlers this year.

She added: "The aim of the trials is to encourage the professional development of Police dog handling, share good practice among forces and provide the public with the chance to see teams compete against each other.

"Police dogs are always extremely popular with people, who are fascinated by what they can do and the kind of training that they must complete."