GMP welcome officers and police dogs after passing intense training

Greater Manchester Police has welcomed eight new dog handlers and eight new police dogs after passing an intensive 13-week training course.

The new additions to the Tactical Dog Unit (TDU) now means the team has over 30 deployable general duty police dogs. 

The officers have joined the Greater Manchester Police’s Tactical Dog Unit from a variety of roles in the force, including  neighbourhood, response, firearms, Child Sexual Exploitation and are now tackling crime across the region as dog handlers with their K-9 companions. 

They have been involved in two separate training courses, and GMP are pleased that both the officers and the dogs have passed and are now deployable. 

The new police dogs are under two-years-old and are matched with their handler at the beginning of the course, based on matching their size and personality, resulting in the best pairing. 

Speaking on its latest TDU recruits, Inspector Michael Weeden, said: "We will have more police dogs and handlers responding to more incidents, preventing and reducing crime and delivering outstanding service to the communities of Greater Manchester. 

 “It is a demanding role with the dog being with the handler at work and also at home, so it is a big commitment for the officers and their families to make, but one that is also extremely rewarding.”