POLICE DOGS IN CYPRUS

 Filenews 20 September 2020 - by Myrto Zoubidou  Giorgos Christoforou

The dog over time acquired many qualities as a companion of man, including that of... of a colleague. This is something the Police Force knows best of all, since its ranks include K-9. Fast, flexible, disciplined and obedient to their trainer/operator, dogs prove to be particularly capable in drug and explosive investigations, in tracking missing and wanted persons, but also in various criminal acts in general. With a strong sense of smell and hearing, as well as a number of other skills that are further honed during their training, the K-9 police dogs, visited by associated news, make a decisive contribution to their missions.

Speed, flexibility, discipline and obedience are just some of the main features that the police dog must possess. Its capabilities, its training, but also its bond with the trainer/operator are the three main components that make the dog industry efficient, but also the tetrapods themselves an integral and effective tool for the Police itself.

Establishment and purpose of the Police Dogs branch

The police dog branch has been giving writing samples to the Police Force since 1960 since the founding of the Cyprus Police. The purpose of its foundation was to detect explosives and drugs, but also to trace and find lost persons or criminals who have escaped or escaped. At the same time, the industry was able to deal with and suppress nuisance with specially trained dogs, a possibility that does not exist today. But there is a will to be re-created, as the industry manager Odysseus Papadopoulos told us.

The human potential

Currently in service of the Police Force throughout Cyprus, there are about 40 dogs, a number that is constantly increasing and can reach up to 50, with 28 trainers/operators members of the Corps. All the provinces have branches of the industry. In Nicosia it is close to the Police Headquarters. In Larnaca and Paphos they are based at the airports and in Limassol in the port of the city, "keeping" the entrance gates to our country.

  The breeds of Police Dogs

A particularly important criterion in the selection of dogs is its breed. Usually the breeds selected are Belgian wolf dogs, German shepherds and labradors. However, half-breed dogs have been selected several times. They usually come from families, from donations, from shelters, or from a market.

To get a dog to the unit and... work usually has to be under a year old. Have the right physical and physical characteristics. To be a good character, not to have phobias, to be sociable and to be friendly to other dogs, but also to people, because 95% of the time it will be among people. Once integrated into the unit, the process of familiarization with its operator is important in the first stage.

The training and life of police dogs

During our visit to the area where the Police Dog Branch is housed in Nicosia, we followed the process of finding explosives, as well as impressive moments from the training process in the combat arena by trainers/operators Andreas Sofronios, Alexandros Georgiou and Panagiotis Kerimis.

As the operators have told us, dog training is done in two ways. The dog learns to work and get paid either by food or by toy. It is important that the dog wants his reward very much and usually chooses it himself for this and is an incentive. He learns to work more on his smell and to distinguish all kinds of drugs and explosives.

Through training lasting about threemonths, the dog learns the detection of drugs and explosives, as well as the tracing process. At the end of the process the dogs are evaluated by the instructors of the unit and if deemed appropriate remain to fulfill their mandate in the industry.

The services of a police dog reach about 10 years with daily care and a 12-hour training program, as well as participation in any mission that will need its contribution.

The dog has the personal trainer/operator with whom he has developed a special familiarity, while in very exceptional cases he will go to a business without his handler. As mentioned to us, the connection between the two is also the key to their success.

The training of operators

In order to serve in the field of police dogs, one must surely love animals and be able to live with them, because they are called upon to take full care of them from bathing and combing to visits to the veterinarian, in addition to their training. As all three handlers have pointed out, their dogs are like their children. There's no different way.

The training of the pilots was carried out by police officers who were trained in corresponding services abroad mainly in England and America. In recent years there have also been trainings within the sector.

Powers

The police dog industry is part of the Motorized Direct Action Unit and in addition to the service at the country's airports and ports, undertakes investigations on a cyprus basis. Either with the TDP, the OPE, the CYP or the YKAN, or in the investigation procedures of official escorts, but also in the movements of the President of the Republic.

Identification of missing police dog

A major search carried out in their memory by the operators involved a missing person whose vehicle was found abandoned in an open area. January and the weather conditions were bad. The team of police dogs was called about 40 hours after the vehicle was spotted and went to the area with two dogs. The data was difficult since the tracks had been pressed several times. Eventually, police dogs managed to locate the girl alive in a lake. A police helicopter was then alerted to proceed with the rescue.

The "service"

The first reason for the "retirement", but also for the future of a dog, is the operator. For 9-10 years he has been the man the four-legged man knows, obeys and trusts. When he reaches the west of his police route, if the operator has the ability to take him home he will do so. Otherwise he will see to it that he is provided with a home that will take over his life until the end of his life.

In most cases dogs follow the handlers into their home, because love and connection are two-way which makes it more difficult to separate them. However, in cases where this arrangement is not possible, the operators make sure to find people who are animal-friendly, willing to take on a dog that is already old. Fortunately, there has never been a problem, because there are many who open their homes and their hearts to welcome a "veteran" who has selflessly offered his services to his homeland.