One of GMP’s newest recruits is being put through her paces – and she’s only six months old.
PD Beau is training under the watchful eye of trainer Rachel and is a one of a litter of four pups that joined the force a few months ago.
The German Shepherd is undergoing her initial familiarisation with the more formal training due to start when she’s 18 months old.
Her siblings – PDs Dre, Nala and Luna – are undergoing similar routines with their handlers.
GMP has around 40 working police dogs across multiple disciplines from general purpose dogs to dogs with specific detection skills like finding drugs and explosives. The force recruits roughly eight dogs a year to replace dogs that are retiring.
Chief Inspector Kirsten Buggy, who oversees Specialist Operational Training within GMP’s People and Development Branch, said: “Beau will undergo a six-week training course in about a year from now at Hough End and she needs to get ready for that.
“We work on things like agility and obedience and part of her training involves going to a variety of places, like the airport and train stations, to get her confidence up.
“She is a very curious dog, but also very clever and very stubborn. Eventually, it is hoped Beau will become a general purpose dog and will help with arrests and tracking.”
Beau has been adopted by GMP’s Stockport district and is a regular visitor to Cheadle Heath Police Station and around the town.
Chief Inspector Clare Ryle, from Stockport’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Police dogs are a valuable asset in detaining criminals and protecting people.
“We love to see Beau when she comes to visit and officers are taking a keen interest in her development.
“It is important to us that Beau regularly visits the Stockport area to do her training – and we know that the public love to see the puppies out and about.
“Recently Beau has been training in Stockport town centre, Brinnington and Hazel Grove and you can expect to see her out and about across Stockport in the coming weeks and months.”
