THREE new police dogs have recently joined the South Australia Police (SAPOL) team.
Jax, Arnie and Zac have completed a 12-week general purpose dog training course and will be on the beat across SA following their formal graduation.
The three black German shepherds bring the total number of general duties dogs with SAPOL to 13.
Jax, a 17-month old, is unusual in that he was donated to SAPOL by the German Shepherd Dog Rescue Group.
Due to strict selection criteria and standards, SAPOL seldom accepts dogs donated by the public.
He was a rescue dog that was identified as being suitable for police work, with his pedigree papers revealing he was from very good working dog bloodlines.
Put into the care of an experienced dog handler for further assessment and development, Jax was identified as having “the right stuff” and accepted into the general-purpose training course in December.
Arnie (17 month) and Zac (16 months) came to SAPOL from kennels in Victoria – the more usual pathway into policing.
Dog Operations Unit Sergeant Darryn Conroy said members of the public regularly offer to donate dogs to the unit, but these are very rarely suitable.
“We appreciate the public’s support and on this occasion the assistance of the German Shepherd Dog Rescue Group,” he said.
“It is very unusual to see a donated rescue dog make the grade, but we expect Jax to have a successful career serving the SA community.”
Suitability to work as a police dog is determined by a wide range of factors, including breed, physical suitability, a dog’s individual character, response to training and overall strength.
