Halifax Regional Police swear in four K9 service dogs

Four police dogs received their badges and are formally recognized as members of the Halifax Regional Police k9 Service.

It was a special day for four of Halifax Regional Police K9 dogs as they were sworn into duty Wednesday Morning.

Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean presented Police service dogs, Libby, Spirit, Yogi and Goose with their badges

“It’s important that they get recognized for their roles too. They are working animals. Some may just think of them as animals, but they do have a very significant part with regards to the policing package. Our animals locate mission people, sometimes find key pieces of evidence, that’s just to name a few and it’s important to get the recognition for the work that they complete,” says Sergeant Dan Berube, Halifax Regional Police K9 Unit sergeant in charge.

The station currently has five dogs, and these four will now officially join the K9 team. Each dog brings new skills and will be used in different ways.

“We have PSD Libby, who came in from the Mounties, she’s approximately eight-nine years old. We are hoping to use her for at least a year or two supporting airport-based operations. We have PSD Spirit, he’s a little younger, we hope to use him for patrol-based operations. PSD Yogi and Goose are also around the same age, also supporting patrol-based operations and doing their part,” says Berube.

Police service dog Libby’s handler, Const. Susan Conard, says the badges for these dogs is a way to say you are one of us.

“We recognize that police put their lives on the line, but the dogs put their lives on the line every single day, and that badge represents the commitment, it represents the loyalty and dedication to the work,” says Conard.

The presentation took place at Halifax’s City Hall and was attended by a couple dozen people, community members, the dogs’ families and Halifax Regional Police members.

These dogs have already undergone their initial training; some have already started as Police service dogs with HRP. They will go home with their handlers and become integrated into their families, but training for them will continue throughout their time with HRP.

“Each dog plays a different role in how they embed with the Handlers family, sometimes it’s slow at first because the dogs come from away and there is a learning period and the dogs do go through intensive training as well, so we want to make sure the integration happens smoothly. But aside from that it’s up to the handler to embed the dog with their family,” says Berube.

The hope is for these dogs to service for around seven years with the Halifax Regional Police, health permitting.

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