Police Dog Jax retired from active service after eight years of service with Greater Manchester Police.
PD Jax, who joined the force as a puppy in 2017, made over 50 arrests during his career, both on patrols and as a firearm support dog.
He has worked with several handlers in GMP, but most recently Inspector Weeden, who as a duo spent the last three years fighting crime in Greater Manchester.
Insp Weeden was confident of Jax’s ability from the moment they were paired together. He said: “I knew from day one how special he was in every aspect of being a police dog – he was super confident but also had a calm, caring, and loving demeanour when off duty.”
PD Jax’s confidence was an attribute that led him and Insp Weeden detaining numerous suspects across the region. However, once a job was done, the German Shepherd would relax once he returned to the van.
“I always knew what he was the ‘perfect’ police dog,” Insp Weeden said. “Within minutes of detaining someone, Jax would be in the back of the van asleep like nothing had happened.
“However, on many occasions, Jax’s presence and confidence meant that a high number of suspects surrendered to him, preventing the need for him to be deployed.
“Every deployment for him was about getting the job done and then going back to be quiet Jax.”
Though Jax will be leaving GMP, his legacy will live on, with two of his children currently tackling crime in the region – PD Harley and PD Hully – while he is father to three other dogs in the force, two of which could join their kin as operational PDs in the future.
Due to Jax’s genetics, excellent mannerisms and performance during his career, he has also been a sire for other forces around the country and even as far as New Zealand.
Another bonus for us and potential other forces, because of the evolution of artificial fertility over the years, we now have to ability of more litters from Jax without the need for him to be there – hopefully there will be more Jax’s in the future coming to GMP!
In a final tribute to his former crime-fighting partner, Insp Weeden said: “Personally, I am extremely proud of Jax’s achievements and have mixed emotions around his retirement. I am happy to see him put his feet up now and relax but I can still see the disappointment in his eyes when I leave for work without him. That is the difficult part of leaving that partnership bond. He was the perfect partner and has protected me and other colleagues numerous times. The bond will never be broken but the working relationship had to end for him to have a happy and healthy retirement. He has deserved it.”
