Two new police dogs will be helping to keep communities across Staffordshire safe after starting service.
Ebony, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, and Iko, a 14-month-old Dutch Herder have passed an intensive 13-week training course.
They entered service with Staffordshire Police on 24th May.
Handlers PC Ruth Jones and newly-qualified PC Ellis Powell were with the canine cops as they were presented with their official force collars.
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).
Newly-qualified handler PC Powell said he was delighted to be working with Iko.
“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.”
PC Ellis Powell, Staffordshire Police
Ebony is the fourth police dog to be licensed under PC Jones, who has worked at Staffordshire Police for more than 14 years.
