WILTSHIRE Police have a new member of their firearms team, after PC Simon Goodwin and Police Dog Fozzy passed the training to become part of the Tri Force area Tactical Firearms Support team.

A presentation was held in Clevedon for PC Goodwin and Fozzy, along with Avon and Somerset-based PC Louise Grabham and Police Dog Heidi, PC Ian Grant and Police Dog Ace

Following a six week course, the dogs, who are all currently general purpose police dogs, now have the ability to work alongside armed response officers should they be required.

PC Goodwin said: “It has been a long and challenging six weeks, but enjoyable. Firearms support dogs and their handlers are trained to work closely with armed officers in a tactical firearms situation. All the dogs that took part are proven general purpose police dogs.”

The dogs were trained by PC Mark Avery of Gloucestershire and were presented with their licences by Superintendent Mark Sellers.

PC Goodwin added: “The six weeks of training concentrated on enhanced control at a distance, safe deployment and searching with firearms teams for armed subjects, as well as deployment from a helicopter. We now have the skills and training needed to work alongside our firearms colleagues to tackle the most dangerous, prolific people that could cause harm to the public.

“The hardest part of the course was encouraging Fozzy to work independently, more so that is required in his general purpose police dog role. He also loves working so much that it was sometimes difficult to keep him from barking his enjoyment – the role can demand a silent approach at times, but he understood by the end of the course. He also loved the helicopter almost as much as I did.”