BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE K9 Section of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) recently received a fillip with the arrival of another tracking dog.
The dog, a male German Shepherd, arrived Sunday afternoon (May 13) at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport from the US with its handler, Constable Julius Wyatt of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
In an exclusive interview, Wyatt told this publication, “He is a large, muscular, highly-trained working dog and his breed is noted for versatility, intelligence, alertness and loyalty.”
He explained that the dog would be attached to the CID, which would definitely enhance that department’s investigations especially at crime scenes that involve murder.
“Not only will this dog be used in certain investigations conducted by members of the CID, but also by other departments of the force such as the Anti-Narcotics Unit,” he added.
Wyatt said that to purchase a tracking dog of its calibers is a very expensive undertaking, but because of Commissioner Walwyn’s influence and affinity with the US government, the dog was acquired at a reduced price.
The Constable stated that he had left the Federation on April 16 to attend a K9 Training Course conducted at the Southern Coast K9 Incorporated in Florida, which was the Commissioner’s brainchild.
“While there I had attended classes of both practical and theory. The theoretical aspect had involved training with the dog in order for him to become acquainted with me and me with him. This form of training was intended for both of us to work in unison, which has built a strong bond between us,” Wyatt explained.
He however cautioned that the dog is not a pet.
“This dog is very sensible and vicious but adheres to my command. It is not a pet and, as a result, persons are advised to maintain the regulated distance as stipulated by law whenever the dog is working at a crime scene.”
Head of the CID, Inspector Charles Smithen, noted that the dog is like a police officer and that a similar one was used by the SEALS in the capture of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May last year.
Smithen further noted that police dogs are trained to track criminals, sniff out illegal materials, search buildings and perform other jobs that human police officers cannot do as well as a dog can.
“This dog can also distinguish the scent trail of one human being from that of another,” he added.
This new addition to the Force’s K9 Section, like his fellow tracking dogs, has to have a name, and Commissioner Walwyn has thrown out a challenge in the form of an Internet Contest to school children in the Federation.
The Commissioner stated that the dog should be named Appollo, Maccou or Thor, and that the children should submit their choices to RSCNPF@gmail.com.
The school with the most single name, he explained, would be declared winner of the contest and would be the recipient of an EC$100 cheque from his office.
