Current timestamp: 05/02/2023 21:04:50
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Two new Police Dogs join Staffordshire ranks

Main article content

Navigation

News

10:42 05/06/2022

Our police dog unit has welcomed two newly-qualified canines into its ranks.

PD Ebony, an 18-month old German Shepherd, and PD Iko, a 14-month old Dutch Herder, passed their intensive 13-week training course after starting on 23 February 2022. 

The dynamic duo, whose handlers are PC Ruth Jones and newly-qualified PC Ellis Powell, were formally brought into service on Tuesday (24 May).

To mark the occasion, the dogs were given their official force collar and the handlers received a special certificate, presented by Chief Constable Chris Noble at the force’s Stafford HQ.

The new additions take the number of qualified canines in force to 28.

PD Ebony is the fourth police dog to be licensed under the tutelage of PC Jones, who has worked in the force for over 14 years.    

Dual handler PC Jones, who is also responsible for ‘sniffer’ dog PD Barry, aka ‘Lord Barrington’, started working with PD Ebony following a six-year stint with former PD Colt. 

She said: “At home, I’ve now got Lord Barrington, retired PD Colt, newly qualified PD Ebony and a sausage dog, all under one roof! They get on really well which is lovely to see.

“Throughout my career with Colt and Barry, we’ve had various successful deployments in finding elderly missing people, detaining armed suspects in high-profile situations and assisting the firearms team with various grade one callouts.

“Just this year, Lord Barrington found over £800,000 in drugs, which is our best find to date.

“Once, myself and Colt were investigating after a motorcycle was stolen in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

“We had exhausted all lines of inquiry and reviewed hours of CCTV footage to no avail, until Colt picked up a scent which led us to the stolen property and two arrests.”

She added: “PD Ebony has big paws to fill,

“You develop habits with your dog, there’s no bond like it!

“You have to understand how they think, how to reward them and how to get them behave in certain situations to get the result that you want. There’s really no job quite like it”.

Newly qualified handler PC Powell, who joins the unit with youngster PD Iko, also credits this relationship as the defining factor to starting as a handler.

“Ever since I started in neighbourhood policing four years ago, I knew I wanted to be a dog handler.

“The best thing about the 13-week course is seeing the development of your dog in different situations. You see them grow in confidence and you begin to build the foundations for your working relationship, which is the most rewarding aspect for me.

“We go to specialist facilities to learn how to track, we go up on Cannock Chase to learn how to navigate challenging terrain and we set-up practical training scenarios on housing estates across the county.

“Every year, each licensed handler also attends a tactical training day where they are exposed to heavy footfall incidents – like the crowds at football matches, preparing both the handler and the dog for every eventuality.”

He added: “It’s a really proud moment for me to receive my certificate.

“It’s been a challenging period but now I’m just eager to get started and join this fantastic team who are committed to supporting armed response and delivering first-class service within our communities.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.