They track criminals through rugged terrain, help find missing people and can even detect bombs, narcotics and cadavers. To their RCMP handlers, however, police dogs are more than just partners; they’re family.
RCMP Const. Liam King and Cpl. Tim Feasby work with police service dogs (PSDs) in the Lloydminster area. Tracking suspects over long distances, protecting their handler and criminal apprehension are just some of the tasks RCMP K9s do.
“These dogs, I equate them to professional athletes. I like to say my dog’s the Connor McDavid of police dogs,” said Feasby. “But they are professional athletes, and they’re treated that way.”
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The dogs live with the officers and are by their side 24/7. As a result, from food to exercise, to vet appointments and work, these athletes grow a special bond with their handlers.
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“The bond is extremely strong,” said Feasby. “We spend everyday with these dogs, we believe in our dogs, we trust our dogs. We observe them so much, the finest little detail in their body language can mean something to us and not mean anything to anybody else.”
Additionally, Feasby said the bond can mean life or death in high-risk situations.
“I depend on it,” he said. “My wife and kids depend on it because they want me home safely. The members depend on that bond.”
Training
Meanwhile, RCMP dog handlers train for many situations as the team must be ready for anything.
“You train for the worst,” said King. “And then something else happens and you must adjust. You try your best to deal with the situation.”
In addition to being full-profile police dogs, King’s dog, RCMP PSD Rad, and Feasby’s partner, RCMP PSD Maz, have specialties allowing them to search for specific things.
“Beyond criminal apprehension, tracking and searching, each dog can be given a specialty profile; it could be explosives, narcotics, or human remains detection,” said Feasby.
Narcotics detection is Maz’s specialty, while detecting explosives is Rad’s.
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During a recent demonstration in the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s lobby Const. King set out hides. They are state of the art training tubes with odour of home-made explosives; these were hidden for PSD Rad to locate.
Upon command, Const. King instructed PSD Rad to search for the explosive hides, PSD Rad successfully located both hides within a minute of searching, a testament to the dogs training and the handler’s commitment.
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Success stories
Additionally, Feasby shared a story of Maz successfully tracking two individuals over a long distance.
“There was a break and enter at a lease site near Kitscoty. The suspects broke in, stole a bunch of stuff and took off on foot,” he said.
“Maz and I tracked them over five kilometres and located them hiding in another lease site shed.”
The company was grateful for the work PSD Maz and Feasby did.
That was a fun track. It was a tough one, a long one, at night. And he never gave up,” said Feasby.
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King recalled a case involving two suspects fleeing from a stolen side-by-side that had fled from Police earlier.
“While we were tracking, PSD Rad bounced back and forth on the track, indicating to Cst. King that he was tracking two separate suspects,” he said. “PSD Rad settled into the one scent picture on the track and we successfully tracked to where two suspects were detained.
“This successfully connected the suspects to the side by side, allowing the RCMP members to lay criminal charges”
Handler tasks and breeding
King said handlers focus on safety, especially when stress levels are high.
“RCMP Dog handlers play an essential role in various calls for service, including high-risk situations. Dog handlers are usually the first ones there to help secure the scene,” said King. “Dog handlers have the knowledge and training to assist with keeping members of the public, Police officers and the Police dog safe.”
Meanwhile, RCMP K9s are living partners with unique personalities. They are all bred to be fearless, trusting, and highly driven. The photoshoot proved just how different they are. Sit-and-stay — like your pet at home — is not their strong suit; they are not pets. Both Maz and Rad had way too much drive and energy to sit still for long.
“A lot of people think they’re big mean dogs,” said Feasby. “However, they must be able to work around people, and we socialize the dogs very well. Some dogs have bigger personalities than others.”
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Rad was born in Innisfail, Alta., at the RCMP Police Dog Service training centre and has a unique connection to Lloydminster. Fortunately, after being placed with King at seven-weeks old, the constable got to imprint him and train him, which isn’t always the case for handler/dog pairs.
Rad was named in part after retired Staff Sgt in a full circle moment for the Lloydminster RCMP. Troy Raddatz, former K Division Police Dog Service Program manager. S/Sgt. Raddatz began his canine career in Lloydminster with PSD “Argo.”
Deployment and retirement
Meanwhile, when it comes time to deploy Rad or Maz, both Feasby and King explained the three times they will bite.
“They will protect themselves, protect the handler, and bite on command,” said King. “They don’t have hands, so they use their mouth,” they said.
PSDs can work for 5-7 years with their handler. When they retire, many stay with their handlers. Some are adopted by families who can handle a working dog. Additionally, a non-profit organization called Ned’s Wish can facilitate this.
“Ned’s Wish helps to support retired Police dogs with medical bills after retirement as there is no pension for Police Dogs,” said King. “Ned’s Wish has also assisted with re-homing retired Police dogs with appropriate families.”
Additionally, the Lloydminster RCMP canine unit covers a large area, including Kitscoty, Vermilion and Wainwright. The local detachment also helps other units when needed.
The job isn’t easy, but both officers say working with their dogs is worth it.
“They know what they’re doing and how to do their job,” said King. “They trust you’re going to be right there with them.”
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