Remoh a Doberman and Senta a German Shepherd were Essex Polices'
first dogs. In 1954 with their two officers they attended the Mount
Browne Dog Training Centre in Guildford. A year later they made
their first arrest. There was a burglary at the Cherry Tree Pub,
Mersea Road, Colchester. Remoh and Pc Pete Cousins tracked across a
field to a local army camp where they arrested a serving soldier.
This was the first, many more followed.
In competitive trials Senta was the only dog to receive maximum
marks for tracking and seek back. So effective were Remoh and Senta
that in 1956 the dog unit was increased to ten dogs and handlers.
In 1968 the unit was split to four sites around the county to give
better coverage of work with the dogs. In 1969 a further eight
constables joined the unit.
All the handlers demonstrated a high degree of professionalism,
and several of them attended the National Police Dog trials. For
many years the Essex Police Dog Unit gave a display of their work
at the Colchester Tattoo, which was one of the largest military
displays in the country. The last display given was the 150th
anniversary of Essex Police in 1990. Today Essex Police dogs rarely
show off their talents.
The Dogs - Some are purchased although most are received as
gifts from the public. They are accepted for training at about a
year old. If accepted a dog will attend an 8 week training course.
On completion of the course the dog is licensed to work for 12
months, this is renewed annually.
For general police work the German Shepherd is the most popular
dog, mainly due to its availability, temperament and its
trainability.
All of the dogs are kennelled at home with their handlers, but
go to the Sandon kennels if their handler is on holiday or sick.
The dogs usually retire around eight years old.
In 1970 the expanding dog unit was desperate for more room. A
purpose built office block with kennels was provided at Sandon.
Sandon is still the main unit with at least seven other units
giving excellent coverage across the county. The dogs are trained
as tactical firearms dogs, explosive search dogs, drug/weapon
recovery dogs, blood hounds and specialist trackers.