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Canada @[email protected] · 2026-07-17 · 04:00 UTC

Inquest report into fatal shooting by Winnipeg police recommends changes in use-of-force training

A Manitoba judge recommends in an inquest report into a fatal shooting by Winnipeg police that changes to…
#Canada #Winnipeg #AlexciaAndrews #AnneKrahn #Indigenouspeoples #inquestreport #MKO #policedog #Policeofficer #StewartAndrews #useofforce #Winnipegpolice
https://www.europesays.com/canada/132756/

#winnipegpolice #useofforce #stewartandrews #policeofficer #policedog #mko

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2026-07-12 · 11:00 UTC

POLICE DOGS: Ballistic body armour for every frontline dog in South Wales — as PD Sonny models the new kit

Every general purpose police dog in South Wales is to wear ballistic body armour on duty, under a new investment by South Wales Police.

The force said the new equipment provides advanced ballistic protection, and follows incidents elsewhere in the UK in which police dogs have been injured while carrying out their duties.

Rather than reserving the armour for selected deployments, the force has decided to equip all of its general purpose dogs — recognising, it said, that risks can be encountered across a wide range of situations.

The project has been led by Sergeant Nathan Burton of the force’s dog section.

“Our police dogs are an invaluable part of our operational capability,” Sgt Burton said. “They put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and support officers.

“This investment ensures we are doing everything we can to keep them safe while they carry out their duties.”

Police dogs are routinely deployed to track suspects, search for missing people and support officers in potentially dangerous situations — work that regularly places them at risk.

Attacking a service animal has been a specific criminal offence since 2019 under “Finn’s Law” — formally the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act.

The law followed a national campaign after PD Finn, a Hertfordshire police dog, was stabbed in 2016 while protecting his handler. Finn survived and returned to duty — and the change in the law means those who attack service animals can no longer claim they were simply damaging “property”.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Belcher said the wellbeing of the force’s working animals was a priority.

“Our dogs are also valued members of our policing family,” he said. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to their safety and welfare.”

Among the first to model the new kit is PD Sonny, pictured in his armour alongside his handler.

It caps an eventful summer for the force’s dog section — police dog Hera retired last month after eight years on the frontline.

Hera, one of the first female Dutch Herders to serve with the force, caught criminals, found missing people, saved a life — and even met the King before hanging up her harness.

And the force’s four-legged workforce stretches beyond the frontline: South Wales Police has also used “wellbeing dogs” to support officers and staff dealing with traumatic and stressful incidents.

For PD Sonny and his colleagues, though, the new armour is strictly business — the latest layer of protection for dogs whose working day can turn dangerous without warning.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

HERO HOUND: Police dog Hera retires after eight years catching criminals and even saving a life
The force said farewell to one of its longest-serving dogs last month.

‘Wellbeing dogs’ help police deal with traumatic and stressful events
The force’s other four-legged recruits, supporting officers behind the scenes.

SWANSEA: Man banned from keeping animals for 15 years after Jack Russells left dangerously obese
The RSPCA case heard at Swansea Magistrates’ Court this week.

#featured #PoliceDog #SouthWalesPolice

#featured #policedog #southwalespolice

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2026-06-28 · 10:36 UTC

HERO HOUND: Police dog Hera retires after eight years catching criminals and even saving a life

A much-loved South Wales Police dog has retired after eight years of service — and what a career it has been.

PD Hera, a 10-year-old Dutch Herder, has hung up her harness after helping to catch criminals, find missing people and even save a life.

Originally brought over from Holland, she was one of the first female Dutch Herders to serve with the force.

She was named after Hera, the queen of the gods in Greek mythology — and her handler says she lived up to it.

Across her career, Hera helped track down and detain burglars, drug dealers and violent offenders, and played a key role in finding missing and vulnerable people across South Wales.

One incident in particular stands out. While helping officers following a pursuit, a suspect ran into a river and began to struggle in the cold water.

Hera tracked him in the dark and helped officers bring him safely to shore — showing not just her skill, but an instinct for when to protect life.

Her handler, Police Sergeant Joe McElroy, said Hera had been “a phenomenal dog from the day she was assigned to me.”

“She’s located countless offenders who simply wouldn’t have been found without her, but she’s also shown incredible judgement when it matters most, like helping to save a life,” he said. “She really is one of a kind.”

Hera’s talents have been recognised well beyond the force.

She is one of only a small number of police dogs in the UK to receive the prestigious Silver Blue Peter Badge for her service.

She also met His Majesty King Charles III — then the Prince of Wales — during South Wales Police’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Bridgend in July 2019, where she calmly accepted a fuss from the future King.

Hera met the then-Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, during South Wales Police’s 50th anniversary in Bridgend in July 2019. Image: South Wales PoliceHera (left) more recently featured on the BBC promoting the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals. Image: South Wales Police

More recently, Hera appeared on the BBC to promote the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, which supports service animals once their working days are over.

Now her own working days are done, Hera will stay with Sergeant McElroy in retirement, joining retired police dog Keiko, who is 14.

She will also keep a watchful eye on the team’s newest recruit, PD Ozzy.

Sergeant McElroy said Hera had been “my protector, my colleague and my best friend for nearly a decade.”

“She’s been by my side through everything, so it’s only right that I now stand by her and make sure she enjoys the retirement she truly deserves,” he added.

Hera (front) pictured with two of her four-legged colleagues. Image: South Wales Police

The force paid tribute to Hera’s “courage, intelligence and unwavering loyalty,” and wished her a long and happy retirement.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

More from South Wales Police
The latest news and appeals from the force across the region.

More animal stories from Swansea Bay News
Heart-warming tales of pets and animals across South West Wales.

#HMKingCharlesIII #NFRSA #PDHera #PoliceDog #SouthWalesPolice

#hmkingcharlesiii #nfrsa #pdhera #policedog #southwalespolice

Iran @[email protected] · 2026-06-12 · 22:36 UTC

https://www.europesays.com/iran/157695/ FPD sergeant from Lebanon charged with official misconduct and animal cruelty | News #AlphaRoll #crime #crimes #CrueltyToAnimals #felony #LawEnforcement #Lebanon #LegalAction #MalfeasanceInOffice #misconduct #police #PoliceDog

#policedog #police #misconduct #malfeasanceinoffice #legalaction #lebanon

Viral Trend Daily @[email protected] · 2026-04-07 · 20:53 UTC

The humor here comes from pure contrast: a dog placed in a high-discipline law-enforcement scenario responding with friendliness instead of force. It is almost impossible not to laugh.
#PoliceDog #K9 #DogHumor #Wholesome #FunnyAnimals