Police officer visits dog unit he started in 1960s

A former North Yorkshire Police officer has revisited the dog unit that he helped to establish more than 60 years ago.

Alan Smith, 91, served on the force between 1955 and 1982, and said it took him only "10 seconds" to agree to set up the unit with his colleague John Poole.

Their first recruits - German Shepherds Shane and Duke - were the first operational dogs in York City Police, making headlines for their canine crime-busting.

Mr Smith said his visit to the team in Northallerton was "very emotional for me, but it meant a lot".

He said: "I loved being able to talk about Shane, he was a smashing dog, the best, and I couldn't have done it all without him by my side."

Before PD Shane was put to sleep aged six due to illness, he assisted in 30 arrests, with his final one just days before his passing.

During his career, he was recognised with qualifications in nose-work, searching, and tracking, and was even crowned North-East Champion Police Dog.

In 1974, when North Yorkshire Police was formed to cover areas previously served by smaller forces, Mr Smith and Mr Poole joined its dog section.

Earlier this month, Mr Smith and his son visited the unit to meet the team, swap stories and watch demonstrations of the dogs in action.

He said that the trip "brought back so many memories".

"When we started, we had very little, just two officers, two dogs named Shane and Duke, a lot of enthusiasm, and an A35 van with no markings, no blue lights, and no radio," he said.

"To see how the dog section has grown, the professionalism of the handlers, and the incredible skills of the dogs now - it makes me very proud.

"I never imagined, back in the 1960s, that it would become what it is today."

Sgt Gareth Gummerson, head of North Yorkshire Police's dog section, said the force was "incredibly grateful for the legacy Alan, John and his colleagues created".

"The vision and commitment of those early pioneers paved the way for a capability that now plays a vital role in keeping people safe across York and North Yorkshire," he said.

"Our dogs and handlers are part of every aspect of policing, from searching for vulnerable people to tracking suspects and protecting our communities."

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