A NEW police dog has passed her exams and joined the ranks at Wiltshire Police.

Police Dog Bree and her handler PC Mark Jenkins became fully operational on Friday after gaining their licence following a 12 week training course.

PC Jenkins, who has been an officer with the force for nine years with four years spent as a response officer, four years as a firearms officer and one year spent with the Roads Policing Unit, is looking forward to getting out and about in the county alongside his new partner.

“I’ve worked alongside dog handlers for many years and I realised that it was where I wanted to be – I’m definitely more of an outside, hands-on officer,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get back out and be operational, I’m really looking forward to putting the skills we’ve both learnt into practice and developing Bree further so she can reach her full potential as she matures.

“The training was very in depth, I have had to learn to rely on Bree and not just my own abilities and reactions, which has taken a bit of getting used to."

"She sometimes has to make her own decisions and this will dictate how I need to react which is very different from my previous roles.

“The training has been difficult as with the hot weather tracking conditions have been poor so we have had to start very early in the mornings.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out and making a difference.”