Calgary Police Services (CPS) Canine members and the newly certified police service dog teams were recognized in a ceremony on Tuesday.
Six medals were presented June 28 to CPS Canine Unit members for their years of service. Five badges were given to the newly certified police service dog teams.
The ceremony was held at the CPS headquarters in northeast Calgary.
According to Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld, the ceremony marks a crucial milestone for the members of the Canine Unit.
“Our canine unit, as many will know well has been an integral part of the Calgary Police Service for 62 years,” said Neufeld.
“I’m pleased to be here to present the well-deserved service medals and badges to our newly certified dog teams and to the Canine Unit members who have demonstrated multiple years of hard work and dedicated service to Calgarians.”
Dogs an invaluable tool for CPS: Chief Neufeld
Neufeld also acknowledged the lack of understanding that some may have for the use of dogs by CPS. He said that dogs play an important role in the day-to-day work of the police.
“Our highly trained dog teams are an invaluable tool in locating dangerous suspects, illegal drugs, and explosive materials,” said Neufeld.
Neufeld members of the Canine Unit for their work and dedication to keeping Calgary a safe city.
One of the medals presented was a CPS Distinguished Service Award for 10 years of dedicated service to Calgary.
All remaining medals were Alberta emergency service medals for 12 years of dedicated service as a first responder.
The newly certified police service dogs received Silver badges. They were similar in shape and size to the ones their human counterparts received.
Sergeant Ian Vernon of the Calgary Police Service Canine Unit concluded the ceremony by thanking the recipients for their hard work and dedication and thanked the attendees for being part of “this important day.”
