Oceanside RCMP say there’s a new dog in town and he’s got your back.
Police announced on Dec. 16 that Const. Kyle Sharpe passed his Police Dog Services (PDS) training and will work the Parksville Qualicum Beach region with his new partner, Locklin.
The release read that Sharpe, an 11-year member of the RCMP, first showed an interest in PDS as a junior member in Prince George, and has worked toward his goal to be a full-time PDS handler since 2013.
In his efforts to get into the program, Sharpe has imprinted with 10 RCMP german shepherds, five of which currently serve in the PDS from Newfoundland to British Columbia.
Sharpe has also volunteered for thousands of hours over the past decade, working with his local PDS units as a training hand.
READ MORE: PQBeat: A chat with Oceanside RCMP Sgt. Stephen Rose
“To say that Sharpe was excited to finally get the call to attend the RCMP PDS training academy in Innisfail, Alta., was an understatement,” read the release, saying Sharpe knew he would be a full-time PDS handler in five months, “if all went well in Alberta.”
Since Sharpe has now successfully completed his training, he will work as a frontline police officer with the Oceanside RCMP, along with Locklin, while he awaits his new full-time PDS position in the Lower Mainland.
The RCMP release stated that “it has been incredible resource having the PDS so close,” and stated that Sharpe and Locklin have made five successful tracks in locating four suspects, including a Dec. 14 incident when a suspect with six outstanding arrest warrants attempted to evade the police.
“The tenacity of Const. Sharpe and Locklin supplement the hard work of our frontline officers,” said Sgt. Stephen Rose.
“This enhances public safety by apprehending suspects that attempt to evade arrest. Locklin has been an excellent addition to our team.”
— NEWS Staff, submitted
