Commissioner meets a true 'Nero' our latest four-legged recruit

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green today welcomed two new recruits – of the four-legged kind – to the policing family.

Police dogs Nero and Harry join have joined the Suffolk and Norfolk Constabulary’s dog section with new handlers PC Mark Cushing and PC David Carter, both based at Acle.

The canine cops, recruited from the West Midlands Police puppy breeding programme, have been settling in with their handlers before they start a 13-week training course later this month.

Speaking after meeting Harry and Nero at a training session, Lorne, said: “It was great to see our latest furry recruits in action today - they are a crucial part of our policing team.

“I would particularly like to thank PC Mark Cushing and Nero for taking the time to show me the ropes. It was wonderful to witness a (police)man’s best friend being put through his paces.”

Nero and Harry, both German Shepherds, will go through intensive training and tests which involves obedience and agility work, searching fields and buildings to track hidden people. If successful, both dogs will be operational by May.

Police dogs and their handlers are highly trained and can be used in a variety of scenarios from tracking criminals on the run, to finding missing people. General purpose dogs can also be used for searching for items of property which have recently been discarded. All dogs are trained in public order tactics and can be deployed in a variety of public disorder operations, including football matches.

Nero, aged 11-months and Harry, aged 18-months, both live at home with their respective handlers and have been settling in well.

PC Mark Cushing said: "The dog section plays a pivotal role in catching criminals and keeping people safe; I think it’s one of the best jobs in the police and I’m pleased to be part of the team.”

PC David Carter added: "Harry has settled in well; he shows some promising characteristics so I’m confident he will take the training in his stride.”