Our dog unit has welcomed three newly-qualified canines to its ranks after they successfully completed their training.

PC Pete Clarke and PD Lulu recently celebrated graduation, alongside PC Craig Dutton with PD Astrid and PD Mali.

Following an intensive 13-week course, the dogs are now trained to track and search for suspects and missing people and to recover property.

To mark their achievement each handler was presented with a certificate by Chief Inspector Chris Cotton, who heads up our armed policing and dog units.

He said: “It’s an absolute pleasure and a privilege to present these certificates and acknowledge the hard work of handlers and dogs alike

“I’m looking forward to hearing about all their good work catching criminals, recovering property and keeping the communities of Staffordshire safe.” 

PC Clarke said: “Lulu came to us via the Dogs Trust, from a completely non-police background and has smashed the course. I’ve no doubt that she’s going to be an asset to the team.”

PC Dutton said: “Astrid is the youngest on the course and came to us from an elderly gentleman. Her drive for police work, particularly tracking, is brilliant and she just wants to get on with it.”

Cambridgeshire PC, Laura Gilder and her dog PD Jager, also embarked on the course and are heading home fully-qualified.

PC Gilder said: “Staffordshire Police sourced Jager for me. She’s Solvakian and was bought over here in August 2024. The course has been absolutely brilliant and definitely worth the journey.”