POLICE have welcomed a German short-haired pointer to the list of puppies that they are developing as long term replacements for their current crop of working dogs.

The pointer has been placed with Sergeant Denis McCoy, based in Avon & Somerset, and will be trained over the next year to become an explosives search detection dog to replace his current dog - a labrador retriever called Paddy.

The new puppy’s kennel registration name is Calverkeys Olaf Schmid and he will be known as Oz.

The choice of names has been made in recognition of the courageous work carried out by Staff Sergeant Olaf ‘Oz’ Schmid of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.

He was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 2010 after disarming over 70 improvised explosive devices in Afganistan, which undoubtedly saved a number of soldiers’ lives.

Inspector David Eddy, who is in charge of the dogs on Tri Force Operations, said: “I wanted to expand the breed profile of our working dogs across Tri Force Operations and having previously worked several pointers myself asked Sergeant McCoy to source a GSP as a replacement for his current search dog.

"We had previously asked for some suggestions for the puppy’s name through Twitter and Facebook and had received some excellent ideas.

"Olaf Schmid was suggested as soon as we identified the puppy as a potential explosives search dog. 

"In the circumstances, naming a bomb detection dog after a decorated bomb disposal officer seemed to be the most appropriate choice and we were able to contact Olaf’s mother and she agreed to us naming Oz in honour of her son.

“There were several other popular suggestions and we will also be looking to name some of our future dogs after those suggestions.

"There is a lot of work to be done with Oz over the coming months and we have set up a Twitter account @TriForceOzzy to allow everyone to follow his exploits on his journey towards becoming an operational police dog."

Sgt McCoy said: "Over the last five days since Ozzy has been with me, he has put all four paws well and truly under the table, he is a very independent soul and very affectionate.

“His training has started almost immediately with getting used to being transported in a vehicle to being carefully introduced to my other dogs, all of which he has taken in his stride.

“I look forward to sharing his progress towards becoming an explosive search dog with everyone over the coming months."