Investment in 'four-legged colleagues' supported by Federation

25 June 2018

The Force is investing in the East Midlands Operations (EMOPPS) puppy breeding programme with its first litter already in training.

And Leicestershire Police Federation will be supporting this programme at a time when other forces are phasing out their police dogs.

The gorgeous Cassie was one of the puppies on show at Force HQ in Enderby as some of EMOPPS' latest recruits were put through their paces.

They began the day with some tracking training before moving over to Twin Lakes near Melton Mowbray in the afternoon for some socialisation.

It is all part of an on-going programme to get these dogs ready for active service when they have successfully completed all elements of their training.

And the next batch of police dogs will be first bred using Leicestershire Police's own stock so that the Force knows their background, bloodline and history.

Leicestershire Police Federation chair Tiff Lynch thinks it is a great idea.

"This is an investment in police dogs from Leicestershire and one that the Federation fully supports," says Tiff, "This is at a time when other forces are doing the opposite and phasing out their police dogs. 

"We think there is a lot of value in our police dogs and what EMOPPS is trying to do so it was a fantastic morning seeing the dogs in training.

"At the end of the day, these animals are our four-legged colleagues!"