Class of 2024: Congratulations to our new police dogs

We welcomed three newly qualified police dogs into the Essex Police family this week after PD Cooper, PD Quando and PD Obi became our Dog Unit’s newest licensed dogs.

Family and friends joined the German Shepherd trio and their handlers at a special ceremony on Wednesday 1 May, where the dogs took part in a passing out parade and treated everyone to a display of their new policing skills.

Insp Habbershaw opened the ceremony, congratulating the officers and police dogs on parade, marking the next step in their journey with Essex Police.

During the passing out parade, the Specialist Operations and Dog Section inspector acknowledged the vital role that our puppy walkers had in shaping the dogs’ formative weeks and months, providing homes, love and care through the initial stages of training. He said:

“I’ve been impressed with the high quality and standards of this year’s dogs.
“They’re really fantastic: I know they’ll relish every challenge presented to them as they take on the full responsibility of their new roles.”

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan presented each of the dog handlers a certificate of achievement, recognising PC Liss Johnston, PC Ben Norfolk and PC Nick Hayter.

ACC Nolan, herself a previous Dog Unit Chief Inspector, explained to those present just what it takes to become a dog handler.

“The Dog Unit is very close to my heart, it’s great.
“And I want to say thank you to you, for all your support – we literally couldn’t do it without you.
“It’s not an easy course to pass, but the determination and the professionalism of each and every one of the handlers shines through to the end of the course, and today.”

Course Instructor PC Gary Lambert who helped to select this year’s dogs as candidates for the course, is very proud to have played a part in policing the Commonwealth Games and the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He’s been with the Dog Unit since 2009 and joined the training department in 2017. He too added his thanks to the family and friends present.

“Training our dogs is truly a family affair!
“The dog handlers and PD Cooper, PD Quando and PD Obi have been supported by a very big family: their own family and our police family.
“It’s thanks to the support of those in the background, raising our fantastic dogs, that we can build on the foundation of their training.
“Our trainers put everything into getting the best out of each and every dog so that they pass.”

Instructor Lambert expressed his thanks to all three dog handlers, PC Johnston, PC Norfolk and PC Hayter. He added:

“You’ve all fully committed to the course 100% throughout.
“It’s been a pleasure, and I wish you all every success and many happy years with your respective dogs.”

Having joined Essex Police six-and-a-half years ago, PC Norfolk is our newest dog handler: he joined the Dog Unit alongside PD Cooper in January.

The pair went through the course together learning how to track, search for property, obedience, agility, and chase and detain.

PC Johnston started her career in July 2019 as a response officer in Rayleigh but, just 3-and-a-half years on, she has achieved her dream of becoming a dog handler. PD Obi is her second dog and she’s looking forward to getting out and policing with him and has high hopes for what they can achieve together as a team.

PC Hayter is the most experienced of the three officers with PD Quando being his fourth dog. Although he has almost eight-years-service in the Dog Unit, he has been with Essex Police for 16 years.

PD Quando is the youngest of the three dogs and his handler describes him as the dog that loves to work and gives 110% to everything he does, meaning he’s a pleasure to work with.