WRPS Acknowledges their Canine Unit on Love Your Pet Day

Waterloo Region, Ontario – The Waterloo Regional Police Service has utilized police canines since April 1986. The canines are trained to support officers in tracking and apprehending suspects, locating missing persons, recovering stolen or missing property or evidence, and detecting hidden contraband, such as drugs, firearms, ammunition, and currency. In 2020, the Canine Unit conducted 297 tracks, located 44 people, and recovered 19 property-related items, such as narcotics and evidence.

Currently, the Service has four German Shepard canines. Each dog was selected based on its temperament and suitability, which is tested during the selection process. Once selected, the dog is assigned to a handler. A handler is a police officer who is selected after an application process that includes a job specific physical evaluation and interview. The handler is then responsible for the care and maintenance of their dog 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When the dog is not on duty, it resides with the handler. 

Before engaging in police duties, both the dog and handler complete a 16-week training program. During the program, the dogs and handlers are taught Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Property/Evidence Searches, Area Searches, Building Searches, Handler Protection, and Criminal Apprehension.

Our canines are working dogs, and engage in regular training exercises to keep them fit. When they aren’t training, they respond to a variety of calls, assisting frontline patrol officers, our Emergency Response Team and other investigative units with various searches. 

When you see a canine in public, it’s important to never approach the dog and attempt to pet it.  Distracting them could put you, the dog and handler at risk and/or destroy evidence.

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