Canine Unit Photo Gallery

You can teach an ‘old’ dog new tricks

Cooper, a six-year-old black lab-border collie mix, is now officially certified to detect explosives ranging from home-made concoctions to commercial-grade materials.

In early 2018, Cooper’s handler, Sergeant Lee Currah, started the intensive training with a week-long explosives familiarization course through the Canadian Police College.

“That was just step one,” says Sgt. Currah. “It was a relatively long process but necessary to gain the required knowledge, skills, know how, and best practices when confronted with an explosive device or threat.”

There were also months and months of training for Cooper at the LPS Canine Training Centre where he put his nose to the test.

Explosive detection dogs are not unique in policing but adding one to the LPS team will enable officers to support preparation for major events, assist patrol officers and the Explosive Disposal Unit.

“It’s important to have these dogs trained in order to stay relevant with the current and ongoing threats both globally and locally,” Sgt. Currah, head of the Canine Unit, explains.

Cooper’s new skills can be used in a variety of situations from checking on suspicious packages to doing venue sweeps before a major event.

“Before the Explosive Disposal Unit responds to a report of a suspicious package, we can send in the dog to sniff the package to alert us if there are any traces of explosives. If Cooper picks up a scent, he is trained to sit.”

Police Service Dog Cooper, is one of eight dogs in the unit and is also trained in firearms and ammunition detection. A second team, Cst. Matt Haylor and PSD Kylo, is currently training for certification in explosives detection.

The general purpose dogs in the unit are trained in tracking, open search, building search, evidence search, handler protection, apprehension, obedience and agility.