Police Service Dogs

To become part of the Brandon Police Service Canine Unit, members must have attained the rank of First Class Constable and have sufficient experience to have demonstrated a working knowledge of the Police Service Canine Unit and competence in law enforcement.  This unit is one in which interested members may apply once a position is open.  Canine handlers work shift work with ten-hour days. The passing of a physical agility test component is also a requirement.

Presently, the Canine Unit is comprised of two uniformed members and two Belgian Malinois police service dogs (PSDs).  Currently, our service dogs are named “Storm” and “Karma”.

PSD Storm completed his training at 20mths of age and is the Brandon Police Service’s first service dog trained and validated through the Office of the Fire Commissioner.  PSD Karma came to the police service through Winnipeg Police Service’s K9 Breeding Program.  PSD Karma was raised by her handler from the age of eight weeks old and received training by the Winnipeg Police Service Canine Unit. 

PSDs are trained in obedience, agility, evidence searching (drugs/guns/human scent), area and building searches, and criminal apprehension and tracking.  Additionally, PSDs and their handlers make up part of the Tactical Response Unit.

As handlers in the Brandon Police Service Canine Unit, officers’ responsibilities involve the search and rescue of missing persons, search and tracking of suspects, the search for evidence relating to crimes, searching of buildings and security patrols.

Weekly, PSDs train with their handlers gaining experience in these areas of expertise.  PSDs are also required to complete annual validations for both drugs and patrol. 

Even while off-duty, PSDs are the responsibility and remain in the care of their handlers, typically residing with them at the member’s home.