Four new police dogs ready to sniff out crime
Four new police dogs – Murphy, Madden, Dixon and Muzza – have officially joined the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Dog Unit team, having successfully completed their training.
The dogs and their handlers – Sergeant Dan Amos, PC Dale Jenkins, PC Josh Westgate and PC Liam Mandrell – officially passed out at a ceremony held at Hertfordshire Constabulary’s headquarters earlier this month. They took part in demonstrations to showcase some of the skills they have developed during their General Purpose Initial Course, before a formal ceremony where they were presented with certificates.
During the 13-week intense course the dogs trained in scent tracking, searching, obedience, agility, chasing and detaining.
Two of the dogs, PD Muzza and PD Murphy, were named in tribute of two Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Armed Policing Unit officers who both sadly passed away last year – former PC Paul Murray and Sergeant Dan Murphy. Their family members were invited to the ceremony to meet the dogs and received special commemorative plaques.
Paul Murray was an officer for 24 years, spending most of his career in the Armed Policing Unit, and was a true professional known for his calmness and good nature. On commemorating him, Chief Superintendent Jon Hutchinson said: ‘If PD Muzza embodies even half of his courage, calmness and reliability then the criminals best be worried!’
Sergeant Dan Murphy devoted his life to policing, joining as a police cadet at the age of 16 and going from being a cadet to a Special Constable, a Police Community Support Officer, a Police Constable and a Sergeant. His journey was driven by an unwavering commitment to public service, community confidence, and putting victims at the heart of policing. Addressing his family at the ceremony, CS Hutchinson said: ‘In honour of his service and the legacy he leaves behind, the Dog Unit proudly carry his name forward through Police Dog Murphy, ensuring that his spirit, dedication and remarkable standards of policing endure for generations to come.’
PD Dixon’s breeders were also invited to the ceremony and received a certificate commemorating their outstanding contribution to policing through their dog breeding.
Police dogs are a vital resource for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire – they work closely with their handlers, working across the three counties to keep the public safe. From helping to find missing people, to searching for suspects and recovering evidence, they are a key part of modern policing.
Chief Inspector Declan McDonagh, who heads up the BCH Dog Unit, said: ‘I am incredibly proud to welcome four new dogs to the team, who will be out on the streets sniffing out crime and helping to protect the public alongside their handlers.
‘It was especially poignant for us to be able to honour two of our officers by naming two of our dogs after them as a lasting tribute to their legacy – honouring their memory, continuing their legacy of service and demonstrating the commitment they showed to protecting the public across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, and ensuring that they are remembered.
‘The training course is intense, and the handlers and their respective families invest considerable time and effort into developing the dogs and successfully achieving their accreditations. I am very much looking forward to watching them develop in their operational roles.’
Pictured: Sgt Dan Amos and PD Muzza