TALK to any experienced officer and they will tell you that securing a job training police dogs is an achievement not to be sniffed at.
For many years, the clever canines and their astounding skills have captured the imagination of many people, from all walks of life.
But few people realise the hard work and dedication required to help transform a young Belgian Shepherd into an expert tracker and a key member of any police force.
North Wales Police has recently recruited three new handlers, all of whom have been police officers in the force for at least nine years.
Despite having completed just three weeks of their 16-week training course, Nick Bedford, Gareth Jones and Graham Field say they have formed strong bonds with their dogs – two of which are brand new to police work.
PC Howard Watts, instructor on the course, said: “The dogs are sent to us by a supplier and cost between £2,000 and £4,000 each.
“They are untrained when they are sent to us, so we pair new dogs with new handlers.”
Both dog and handler are put through some gruelling challenges as part of their training course, which deals with physical fitness and situation handling, as well as creating a strong bond between the pair.
PC Field said: “The bond between us and the dog is the most important thing.
“They are beautiful and powerful dogs and they are very trustworthy, but they have to gain trust in us first, just as we do in them.”
The opportunity to become a dog handler is one that many police officers would love and the field is extremely competitive.
PC Jones said: “I think there were only about 12 people who applied for our three posts, but it is normally a lot more competitive than that.
“It is something that we have all wanted to do, but it isn’t easy.
“We have to be able to keep up with the pace of the dog and stay with them, so our physical fitness is very important.”
Detectives say a trained police dog is a valuable resource in any major investigation, as their ability to track down offenders, sniff out drugs and illegal substances and lead their handlers to potentially vital clues cannot be matched.
But any animal has the potential to be a threat to the safety of the public and stamping out potential risks is one of the most important parts of a handler’s training.
PC Watts said: “A dog is not a piece of equipment, like a firearm.
“It has a mind of its own and there is obviously a danger involved if a dog does not follow the instructions of its handler immediately.
“If it does not trust you, it will bite you.
“The dogs have their own personalities too, so it is vital they are paired with the right person.
“A dog that forms a close bond with one handler may not be able to do the same with someone else.”
To strengthen the connection between dog and human, handlers are encouraged to spent as much time as possible with their animals.
PC Watts added: “After a few weeks, the dogs will live at home with their handlers.
“Becoming a trainer is a huge commitment and it requires effort and hard work 24/7.
“Handlers can only be away from their dogs for a certain number of days a year, so even their holidays and family life is restricted.”
Despite all this (and a few bite marks) all three of the new handlers show a fierce determination to achieve their goal and a real sense of respect for their dogs.
As we leave the training centre, PC Field sums up the feelings of the entire team.
He said: “I love it. It isn’t easy, it’s very difficult, but it’s the best job in the world.”