Edmonton police have the top dog in the country.
Const. Murray Burke and his police service dog, Maverick, won the Canadian Police Canine Association Trials earlier this month. Burke and Maverick have been with the Edmonton Police Service’s canine unit for five years.
Maverick placed first overall, first for obedience, first for criminal apprehension and fourth for detection.
Winner Winner, chicken dinner. #psdMaverick takes home CPCA 1st overall with 1st in obedience, 1st in apprehension & 4th in Detection
— EPS Canine (@EPSCanine) September 21, 2015
One of the canine unit’s newest teams— Const. Kelly Lang and his dog Fozzy— placed fourth in criminal apprehension, even though they’ve only been on the job for five months. Overall, 35 police service dogs and their handlers from 15 police agencies across the country competed in the three-day event in Medicine Hat. The first two days of the competition focused on tracking evidence, searching buildings and areas, as well as drug and explosive detection. The final day concentrated on obedience, agility and criminal apprehension.
“The competition at the CPCA Trials is tough. It demands comprehensive teamwork between the handler and the canine partner. The testing is strict and you’re going up against the best in the country,” said acting Supt. Gary Godziuk in a news release. “To bring home multiple awards, including first overall, is an impressive accomplishment.”
Good luck to #psdMaverick and #psdFozzy at the 2015 CPCA trials in Med Hat. @2015K9Trials pic.twitter.com/g60vhll3ai
— EPS Canine (@EPSCanine) September 18, 2015
