Inside Salisbury: Celebrating a year as a rescue dog with the police
Rescue dog Reggie and the Rule of Law service
By Annette J Beveridge
AN ENGLISH Springer Spaniel adopted by the police service has become a Drugs, Cash and Firearms Recovery dog.
Reggie is the first rescue dog adopted from the Dogs Trust to become a police dog with Wiltshire Police since it joined the Animal Welfare Visitors Scheme last year. Reggie has carried out more than 60 searches of open spaces, houses and vehicles in his first year and his many successes include finding thousands of pounds of cash and quantities of drugs, including cannabis, cocaine and heroin.
Reggie’s dog handler, Police Constable Emma Rice, said: “Reggie is a joy to work with. He is a workaholic and a very strong-willed boy. If given the option, he would work all day. He has adjusted to his new life very well and loves nothing more than getting in the car at the start of the shift, as it means he will get to search and, in turn, get his beloved tennis ball.
“During his first year as a police dog, he has had some great jobs, including two stand-out warrants. One where he found lots of drugs and cash and an outside search where he located a package of drugs which Officers had been unable to locate. Reggie will have a long and happy career in the Police, and he couldn’t be better suited to the job.”
Reggie’s crime-fighting potential was first spotted by the team at Dogs Trust Evesham when he was handed into the charity’s care due to his owner’s ill health. Reggie had high energy levels and was very focused on the ball, so he was happiest when he had an activity or training to focus on. His Dogs Trust carers felt he had all the qualities required to be an excellent working dog.
The AWS scheme was launched nationally in 2002 to ensure that the training, housing and transport of police dogs meet high animal welfare standards. There are currently 29 police forces across the UK that have already joined the scheme.
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Animal Welfare Scheme Coordinator at Dogs Trust, Louise Crawford, said: “The scheme has been in place for police dog units for the past 23 years, and Dogs Trust has supported the scheme since its inception.
“Our rehoming centre teams are trained to spot dogs with extra special crime-fighting potential, and we work with police forces signed up to the Animal Welfare Visitors Scheme to find the right partnership to ensure the dogs can thrive and live their best lives and where we can provide ongoing support.
“Reggie was identified by the team at Dogs Trust Evesham as being suitable for a working home. I am thrilled that Reggie has done so well and is now a fully licensed police dog with Wiltshire Police, where he is achieving so much and reaching his full potential. It is extra special that Reggie is the first dog adopted by the Wiltshire force since it joined the scheme last year, and I’m sure he will be the first of many. Rescue dogs have so much to offer and can achieve great things. Reggie’s story and success in his new life are wonderful ways to promote this message.”
The Rule of Law service
A SERVICE celebrating the Rule of Law took place at Salisbury Cathedral last week.
Members from the county Judiciary and Law Enforcement agencies were in attendance on Sunday, March 16. The service was led by The High Sheriff Dr Olivia Chapple OBE, and The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton.
This tradition can be dated back to the Magna Carta of 1215 which gives every person the right to a trial by jury of their peers, and that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Part of the High Sheriff's role is to uphold The Rule of Law, and celebrations like this help to remind everyone of its significance.
Photos credit: Finnbarr Webster
