New firearms support dogs ready to tackle crime in Staffordshire

We’ve welcomed Two newly qualified firearms support dog (FSD) teams to our dog support unit.

PD Danny and PD Foxy, with their handlers PCs Craig Neeson and Jessica Sheppard, have completed a three-week tactical firearms dog course, with our FSD trainers.

The dogs, who already work as general purpose dogs across Staffordshire, can now work alongside armed response officers should they be required.

The training provides officers with a non-lethal tactical option and a high-level search capability during armed incidents, strengthening their ability to respond safely and effectively to high-risk situations.

The dogs need a steady character and willingness to work safely with firearms officers, during often highly charged, potentially dangerous and stressful incidents.

Their human counterparts have had classroom input on firearms tactics, communications, weapon capabilities and positioning before undergoing more physical tasks.

The most common use for FSD dogs will be to help with Search to Contact and planned building searches, where they will rely on their training and instinct to indicate whether there may be a threat.

They can be sent in under verbal control of the handler to give officers an early indication of the whereabouts of any people of interest in the building.

The dogs are also able to help us deal with any acts of aggression or attempts by suspects to flee.

To help keep them safe, they’ll be wearing our recently rolled out Axon Body 4 cameras, which give handlers a clearer picture of what the dog is seeing in real time as well as the Command team in the Control Room.

This helps improve decision making during searches and supports both officer and dog safety.

The newly qualified FSDs and handlers were recently present

ed with certificates by Assistant Chief Constable Paul Talbot.

Trainer and dog handler PC Scott Tatton said: “As you can see, we ask a lot of our firearms support dogs and handlers, a lot of time and effort goes into making sure they reach a sufficient standard to fulfil their duties.

“They now have the capability to tackle some of the most dangerous offenders in our communities, protecting the public and keeping our county safe, whilst using new technology to complement their skills."