Three new dogs trained to support firearms officers in Nottinghamshire

PDs Tuco, Chaos and Murillo, already trained and licensed in the core disciplines of canine policing, have now completed three weeks of additional training alongside their handlers to boost their confidence and performance in potentially noisy and chaotic environments.

The training programme, which concluded at the end of October, focused on searching buildings, vehicles and open spaces that may contain armed and dangerous suspects.

The force now has a total of eight dogs with this enhanced level of training, giving commanders on the ground additional less-lethal options.

As well as the three dogs from Nottinghamshire, two dogs from Dorset Police also passed the College of Policing-accredited course.

PC Dean Allen, a dog trainer with Nottinghamshire Police, said: "The training is all about making the dogs more and more comfortable in what we know can be very chaotic and noisy situations.

"It’s also about training the dogs to be more comfortable around large numbers of officers carrying firearms and showing them that they are not a threat to their safety.

"This is a very demanding course for both the dogs and their handlers, and I am very pleased they all met the required standard."