8. Dog section

In 1946 the Metropolitan Police decided to look seriously at the possibility of using dogs for police work. By the end of that year there were six Labradors on the strength of the Service. These dogs and their handlers were given a thorough training course and then they were sent to work in Central London. They proved highly successful, especially in such areas as Hyde Park, and as a result it was decided to use dogs throughout the Metropolitan Police District. Today there are over 300 operational dogs working in London.

The most popular dog for police work is the German Shepherd, commonly known as the Alsatian. Labradors and Spaniels are also used and are particularly effective in the field of narcotics and explo­sives detection.

Since 1960 the Metropolitan Police has been breeding many of its own dogs. During whelping the bitches and their puppies are cared for in the modem breeding block at the Dog Training Establishment at Keston in Kent.

Some of the adult dogs are either gifts or bought from the public. The main qualities required of a police dog are that it should be of a fine physique and good temperament. These dogs are originally kept at Keston for a period of one to three weeks to assess their health and working capabilities.

When a puppy is two months old it is allocated to a handler and goes to live at his or her home. This stage is very important as trust and affection form the basis of a good working relationship. The puppy returns with its handler to the training establishment every month for a check up. When the puppy is nine months old it returns to Keston for a week’s training in basic obedience and nosework.

When the dog is a year old it spends twelve to fourteen weeks in training. It is taught to track a ground scent, to search different types of terrain such as open country, woodland and buildings for criminals and property and to give tongue, or ‘speak’, as soon as it finds what it has been seeking. It is also taught to chase and hold criminals, but it is trained not to bite them indiscriminately.

After this initial course a dog starts work on Division, but with its handler it is required to attend frequent refresher courses at one of the five continuation training centres.

Dog handlers work the same shift system as other officers in the Uniform Branch. They are on patrol for seven hours and the remain­ing hour is allowed for feeding, grooming and exercising the animal.

The real value of a dog is as a deterrent and to detect crime. But of course the type of beat that they patrol varies according to the district in which they serve.

With the introduction of personal radio and their specially equipped vans, dog handlers have become increasingly mobile, which has added to their operational efficiency. In addition to searching, chasing and tracking, dogs are also used for recovering stolen property which has been abandoned and for finding missing persons.