Police dogs become first in region trained to detect bodies underwater

23 February 2024

Two West Mercia Police Federation members and their police dogs have become the first in the Midlands to complete accreditation that allows them to detect bodies underwater.

Victim Recovery Dogs (VPD) Lupo and Jabba, along with their owners, PC James Benjamin (Benji) and Nick Davies, are now specially trained to search for people who might have drowned.

They are now among a very small number of specially skilled officers and dogs in the country to have received and completed such intense training.

“Receiving this training adds a completely new dimension to the work we do,” said Nick, who has been a dog handler for 12 years and is the owner of Police Dog Jabba.

“It’s another tool that we can utilise to give families the closure they need if a loved one is missing.”

The training, which is two weeks long, involves teaching the dog to sit beside an officer in a boat while using their skills to track scents.

Once Lupo and Jabba - who are both Springer Spaniels - identify a scent, their behaviour will noticeably change, so that the officer knows where to direct a diver.

PC Nick Davies and PD Jabba along with PC James 'Benji' Benjamin and PD Lupo.

“The dogs are trained to search for bodies on land but this additional skill means they can also locate smells lying on water,” added Nick, adding: “And it’s not just whole bodies they can help find, it’s body parts and blood too.

“Ultimately though, you want to find these people, for their families more than anything.

“You need to know your dog inside-out, so you can instantly recognise a change in its behaviour. Of course, it’s a massive team effort, it would be a very hard job if we had to do this on our own.”

Having received the accreditation, Nick and Benji, along with Jabba and Lupo, could be called to support Forces across the country with incidents involving a missing person.

Benji, the owner of Police Dog Lupo said he ‘loves to watch the dogs at work’ and admits he has landed his ‘dream job’.

The police officer, who has been a dog handler for nearly six years said: “When somebody goes missing it’s incredibly upsetting for all those who knew them. Finding that person can help provide closure for loved ones and give families the answers they are looking for.

“I joined the police to help people and although at times, it can be challenging, this role allows me to do just that - help those families.

“I am incredibly proud of what I do. I believe this is the best job in the Force, and for me, it’s a dream come true and I working in this role.”

Police Dog Instructor Steve Morell said the dogs have mastered an ‘incredibly hard skill’.

“Being able to detect a scent on land is one thing, but doing it on water takes things to a whole new level,” said Steve, adding: “It’s one of the hardest skills these dogs can learn. On land, we can see what we’re looking for but on water, you are completely relying on the dog’s smell.”

Steve explained that there are ‘so many impacting factors to consider, including the temperature, speed and type of water being searched.

“The dogs constantly amaze me,” he said. “Gaining this accreditation is not only a credit to the dogs, but the handlers too. They are all real assets to the Force."