A \u00a3420,000 cash boost for South Yorkshire Police\u2019s dog units is \u201cbrilliant news\u201d which will be a great boost to frontline policing, the force\u2019s Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, Federation Chair, said: \u201cFrom a frontline police perspective, and from my own experience, the presence of a dogs unit makes a huge difference in incidents which usually involve an offender being nearby or having escaped or been on the run.<\/p>\n
\u201cA dog handler\u2019s presence at live, public order situations makes a real difference to officers out there, knowing that they\u2019ve got that extra back-up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before austerity, a dog handler would be available on most shifts, which was a well-used resource which made a real difference, Steve said. But cuts to the force have seen units disappear.<\/p>\n
Steve added: \u201cThat\u2019s been missed for the last decade because there\u2019s only been a handful of dog handlers across the force, but the uplift will be hugely welcome by the public as well as by officers. This is a really good news story.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has given funding of \u00a3427,634 to improve the facilities in Sheffield and to train more handlers.<\/p>\n
The force currently has 16 handlers who train the dogs to take part in a whole wide range of operations, from pursuits to drugs and weapons searches or anti-terror operations. The roads policing team also uses dogs in human trafficking operations and other organised crime.<\/p>\n
Supt Paul McCurry told the Yorkshire Post: \u201cThe money will be spent on enhancing our existing facilities at Niagara to improve the kennels, office space and most importantly training facilities for dogs and dog handlers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe refurbished facilities will ensure we have the right infrastructure to recruit additional dog handlers and dogs in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
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