South Wales Police

The diary of SWP dog handler Jeremy Hill

PC Jeremy Hill has been a dog handler with the force for the past 11 years. As a dual operational handler, Jeremy takes care of 3 year old Vinney; a general purpose German Shepherd, and 18 month old Woody; a pro-active explosive detection Cocker Spaniel. PC Hill is also an accredited ACPO and Home Office Police Dog Instructor.

Over the next week, Jeremy will detail his life as a handler; giving an insight into the what it is really like to work with police dogs.

DAY ONE: MONDAY 23^RD AUGUST 2010

Vinney, Woody and I started work bright and early today at 7am. The dogs couldn’t wait to get out of the kennel and into the van; when they know they’re heading to work, their excitement increases tenfold. Whilst they waited impatiently in the police vehicle, I had a quick spot check of their kennels just to make sure all was in order. After a quick clean up and water change, we head off to work. The staff in the Control Room are immediately made aware that we are on duty, should we need to be deployed to an incident.

First stop of the day: the local reservoir. I take the dogs here every morning as its vital they get to stretch their legs and have a bit of freedom. Both get a chance to exercise- and go about their daily business! We usually stay for about 40 minutes – incident callouts permitted, of course. Most importantly, this time allows me to ensure that the dogs are both healthy, as I give them a groom and check for any ailments. Today, both Vinney and Woody were fit and ready for action.

Back into the van, and off we go to Cardiff BCU to carry out some general patrols. The morning passed without incident, and after a few hours we head over to the dog Training School in Bridgend.

After meeting with colleagues at the School, we got down to some work and began to train.

Vinney was put through his paces during some general purpose training to ensure that he remains safe and in control. This is vital due to the close proximity in which we work with the public. To establish whether the dogs are fit for this purpose, we carry out regular structured training replicating what we call ‘bite work’ scenarios. Everything went to plan for Vinney today, and he passed with flying colours. He loves the training aspect of his job- it’s all good fun for him!

Next, Vinney took part in some property searching; random pieces of property are spread over an area and Vinney is deployed to find them. Again, all goes to plan and Vinney performs well. All the exercises we set up for our police dogs are designed with a successful conclusion. This retains the ‘game ethos’ that the dogs learn as youngsters in their basic training- which they evidently enjoy.

Once Vinney concluded his training, it was Woody’s turn to perform. He has great fun chasing his ball- an activity that not only keeps him fit, but also maintains his retrieval drive.

The afternoon’s training was interrupted by a call out- a licensed premises in Cardiff had its takings stolen. We attached ourselves to the call, and headed off to help. Calm soon resumes, and me and the guys head off into Cardiff for some high visibility and traffic patrols. The purpose of these is to deter criminals, and reassure the public that we are around should we be needed. This is a very important aspect of helping to keep our communities safe.

It seemed that the lads couldn’t wit for a further operational call, but the remainder of the day passed quietly. After a final leg stretch, we head home for some dinner and well earned rest.

I can’t wait to start all over again tomorrow morning.

DAY TWO: TUESDAY 24^TH AUGUST

Today started pretty much the same; habit is good for dogs. Vinney and Woody relished the thought of another day’s hard slog at the office. We exercised at a different location this morning, but the fun was cut short by a call to an immediate response incident.

A stolen vehicle had collided with another motorist in the Vale of Glamorgan, and three suspects had made off from the scene. We arrived at the scene of the accident, where paramedics were tending to the injured motorists. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. After a briefing with colleagues, Vinney and I went out to search for any possible tracks that moved directly away from the scene. Unfortunately, no definitive tracks were found, and the suspects could not be located. Sometimes, these things happen.

We headed back to Cardiff for a briefing with the Canton neighbourhood policing team, as a request had been put in for the services of dog handler. A drugs warrant was t be executed at a residential address, and colleagues were expecting potential problems with a dangerous dog- namely an oversized Sharpei dog. The address was entered shortly after the briefing took place, and the aforementioned dog was restrained and detained by myself and fellow handlers in the rear garden. This allowed our colleagues to search the properly safely.

The day didn’t stop there. Next we headed over to Llangley Hall for some explosive detection training with Woody. Woody is trained to detect military, commercial and home-made explosives as part of the ongoing fight against terrorism. We regularly test Woody and the other explosive dogs to ensure that his skills remain impeccable. A successful training session resulted in Woody locating all hidden substances.

We went for a quick leg stretch afterwards in the Hensol area.

During the afternoon, we met up with PC Dave Smith and his dog Farro for further general purpose training at the Dog School in Bridgend. Farro is a young police dog, and PC Smith is very keen to ensure that his dog’s skills are of the highest standard. It’s evident that PC Smith and Farro have been putting in a lot of hard work during their spare time, as Farro is progressing very nicely indeed.

Whilst we were in the Bridgend area, our services were requested by another immediate response call to a nearby industrial estate. A vehicle had been broken into, and the male culprit had made off. Both myself and another dog handler arrived at the scene very quickly. It was established that a ladies handbag had been stolen after the front vehicle of the window had been smashed. The handbag was retrieved, and the male suspect was apprehended at his work place not far from the scene.

As I went to leave the industrial estate, a member of the public approached me to inform me that three males had been seen entering a disused factory. I made my way to the location, and radioed for colleagues to attend. As soon as I arrived, I began to search the location with Vinney, who was on his lead. Upon entering the property, I saw the three males in question, and instructed them not to move otherwise the dog would be deployed. All were compliant, thus proving the deterrent factor that a police dog can offer, especially on such a large site. Our immediate response to the incident resulted in a crime being prevented- a great result for both myself and Vinney.

The action continued; as we were dealing with the three remanded suspects from the factory, we noticed a suspicious vehicle leaving the area. PC Smith immediately followed and stopped the vehicle, which contained two males- and a car full of stripped copper wire. The tools used to execute the crime were also in the vehicle, and so the suspects were arrested for theft, and the car was impounded. An excellent result!

A busy day all in all, and after one final long walk for me and the boys, we headed home. Night shift tomorrow- should be interesting!

DAY THREE: WEDNESDAY 25^TH AUGUST 2010

The night shift commenced at 18:45 hours. Both dogs were straight into the van, and codes 01 and 02 sent to show that we were on duty and could be deployed directly. There was no need for immediate exercise as the dogs had been on a very long (and wet) walk earlier in the day.

Straight away, the Central Control Room informed us that our services were required in the Maesteg area, where a male was making threats with a firearm. Whilst on route, the call was cancelled as the incident was revealed to be a hoax. Typical.

After a quick stop off in the Llantrisant area for some exercise, we headed back to Cardiff.

A short while later, we were called to a residential property near the city centre; a female was in possession of a large night after a domestic altercation. Our primary role was to support our divisional colleagues, and the situation was resolved safely.

It was turning out to be a busy evening. Next, we were called to the Roath area, as a member of the public reported seeing a prowler in her back garden. I arrived and immediately started to search the vicinity and rear lanes surrounding the property. The heavy rain made it very unpleasant for Vinney and I in our search, which unfortunately proved negative.

The dogs were beginning to get frustrated in the back of the van, so off we went for another bout of exercise. The boys can get fed up after the excitement of heading to an emergency response call (they’re aware of what’s going on) and then not being utilized.

We later met up with PC Smith and his dog Farro for a training exercise in Forest Farm. As a newbie to the team, young Farro is still undergoing a lot of these exercises. Tonight, he had to find me in an agricultural compound, where I had been hiding for thirty minutes. Once deployed, Farro found me almost immediately; well-hidden behind a tool shed. Very impressive, and an excellent result considering the poor weather conditions and darkness.

We were then requested to assist our divisional colleagues in the Rumney area of Cardiff, where a member of the public had disturbed two males who were trying to break into a property. Fellow dog handler PC Sam Dunstan also responded to the call, and I’m pleased to say that two males were stopped close to the scene and found in possession of stolen goods from the property.

At around 3am, colleagues from the Roads Policing Unit asked for our assistance after an outstanding stolen motor vehicle was abandoned in the Cardiff area. Prior to my arrival, it was established that one male had been arrested, whilst a further two males were believed to be outstanding. I started to search a track that headed north along a railway line. This is a very dangerous task for us handlers and our dogs, so we always ensure that the relevant railway authorities are aware of our presence on the tracks, and any pending trains are stopped to allow us to search safely. The track provided no scent, and the surrounding search was treacherous due to the swollen river Taff. Unfortunately, on this occasion the bad guys were lucky enough to escape.

Woody was then exercised; it seemed that the gloomy weather conditions were of no concern to him as he was fixated on his ball.

Back to Cardiff then, to resume general patrol duties. After a further quick walk to calm the boys down, Vin, woods and I headed home. A quick towel dry and some dinner, and both were fast out.

A lot of travelling for one night!

DAY FOUR: THURSDAY 26^TH AUGUST 2010

Once again Vinney, Woody and I start work at 18.45 hours, and are instantly deployed to a large disturbance in the Llanrumney area- knives were alleged to have been involved in the incident. We made our way to the location to show a visible and vocal presence; there’s no greater deterrent to criminals than a large police dog that wants a piece of the action. There were still a large number of people at the location, but all went quiet pretty quickly due to the large police presence.

After a quick spell of exercise in St. Mellons, we were deployed straight back to the Llanrumney incident; it turned out that a vehicle had been stolen in the initial fracas. Together with colleagues from the Roads Policing Unit we searched and patrolled the area to locate the car.

It looked like it was going to be a busy night. Soon enough, I was diverted from the Llanrumney incident to assist a family who had broken down in a dangerous position on Eastern Avenue in Cardiff. After ensuring their safety, I awaited the arrival of colleagues so that I could resume duties with Vinney and Woody.

We headed straight off to Whitchurch to search for a missing female. The incident was resolved positively, when the female was located later on that evening.

The next call was of great concern to me; a prowler had been spotted in one of the rear gardens on my own street. I hastily made my way to the address and conferred with one of my neighbours. He allowed me access to his rear garden where I deployed Vinney to search the area, followed by a search of other gardens after Vinney found a trail. The trail went cold, and after a thorough search by myself and colleagues, it appeared that the prowler had made off. A quick drink for Vinney and off we went.

Later on, we made our way to the St, Fagans area, where a male had been the victim of an aggressive robbery which had resulted in his car being stolen. Fellow handler PC Smith was already in attendance, and police dog Farro had picked up a trail from the abandoned stolen vehicle. It seemed that the trail led to a residential property nearby. As a result, PC Smith followed procedure by announcing his presence with Farro several times, and demanding that the person inside revealed themselves. As he received no response, PC Smith let Farro into the house to search, and the dog immediately headed upstairs to a bedroom where he started barking at a turned over bed. PC Smith investigated, and found a male person hiding who became aggressive and attacked both dog and handler. Farro was instructed to detain the criminal via a bite (as in accordance with his training), and subsequently defended both himself and PC Smith from further attack. The male was subsequently subdued and arrested for his involvement in the robbery. An excellent result.

Vinney and Woody had a last work in the early hours of this morning before heading home for food and bed.

Four days off now for me and the boys, but there’s no time for rest as Woody needs to be put through his paces ready for his bi-annual explosive refresher course net week. I’m sure he’ll pass with flying colours, and we’ll see Woody on the streets for a long time yet keeping the public of South Wales safe in the ongoing fight against terrorism.