Seven precocious pooches officially received their Calgary Police Service (CPS) badges and certifications, but more importantly to them, a graduation treat.

On June 4, 2024 (CPS) welcomed four new Police Service Dog (PSD) teams and three Drug Detection Dogs (DDD) to their force. The graduation ceremony took place at The Calgary Police Canine Memorial Park where the dogs were given a graduation puppacino along with their accolades.

The PSD unit’s job is to track offenders from various crimes as well as aid in clearing buildings and helping the tactical units of the CPS. German shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are usually used for these units for their speed, strength and tracking ability.

DDD units are active in correctional facilities and any other scenario that would necessitate a drug search. Breeds such as labradors or doodles are enlisted for these roles for their superior sense of smell.

The graduating units were as follows:

PSD Badge Presentations:
PSD Bronco: Const. Myles Hovdebo
PSD Checco: Const. Jenn Oliver
PSD Gaiter: Const. Katy McAdam
PSD Rick: Const. Scott Mondeville

Drug Detection Dog (DDD) Certificate Presentations: Alberta Correctional Services
DDD Bizkit: Correctional Peace Officer Shaun McCoy
DDD McGruff: Correctional Peace Officer Doug Brenner
DDD Norbert: Correctional Peace Officer Erin Pipke

Canine units have been in service with the CPS for 64 years.

“These highly trained dog teams are invaluable tools in locating dangerous subjects, illegal drugs, explosive materials and returning loved ones who have been laid to rest,” Sergeant Jason MacGregor of the CPS Canine Unit said.

The dogs chosen to graduate from the program can’t just be of a certain breed, they need the energy and intelligence to do the work.

“When we test them. We throw a ball into long grass and we watch them search. If they don’t find it, that’s OK, but they just can’t give up,” said Sergeant MacGregor

The canine units graduating today had already been in active service and the graduation was more a ceremonial recognition of their efforts.

“The dogs have no clue they’re getting a badge today, but for the handlers, it signifies the work that they put in and the effort they put in the goal that they accomplished. Then that puts them out into the public to protect the citizens of Alberta and Calgary,” said MacGregor

Handlers typically receive their dogs when they are around a year to a year and a half in age. The teams then train for 6 months together 

“Actually, it’s pretty amazing to watch. They’re really smart, and watching them develop into the dogs they are today is actually quite amazing,” said Constable Jenn Oliver who handles Checco, a Belgian Malinois.

Canine units and handlers will spend the entire service time of the dog together, from training to retirement. Cooperation is a key component to the success of one of these duos, and teams become most effective around the four year mark.

“They have to be able to trust us. We ask them to go into dark places. We ask them to go over things that they don’t know what’s on the other side. They have to be able to trust us,” said Const. Oliver.

The Canine teams returned to active duty as soon as the ceremony was over and are now officially a part of the CPS.