New K9 unit is moving forward

The return of a canine unit to the Estevan Police Service (EPS) continues to move closer to reality.

The EPS released photos on Monday of Const. Paul Chabot, the city’s new canine officer, standing next to the black Ford Explorer Interceptor SUV that was purchased from Senchuk Ford, and will serve as the unit’s vehicle.

Police Chief Paul Ladouceur said it is a police-packaged vehicle and they need a specially-designed vehicle for Chabot and his dog, which hasn’t been selected yet. Most of the equipment and lighting for the vehicle were pre-installed, and it was purchased at fleet pricing because it is a police vehicle.

Ladouceur stressed the vehicle plays an important role in training for the canine unit, because of the need to deploy the dog from the vehicle.

“To transport the dog, there has to be a proper kennel,” said Ladouceur. “So this was a natural stage and progression towards the implementation of the new canine unit.”

The EPS has the leashes, collars, training suits and the transportation kennel for Chabot to take the dog with him.

“Once the dog is selected, then the hard work begins, and that’s the training component. That’s an extensive training course that the officer will be going on to learn the skills and requirements to be an effective dog handler in the canine unit,” said Ladouceur.

The process of selecting a dog is in the very early stages, the chief said. They are looking at different breeders and locations that provide police canine units. Chabot will likely be going with some experienced handlers from other services in the province who are also looking to expand their units or replace their dogs.

“He will likely be going with them to rely on some of their expertise as well in selecting dogs,” said Ladouceur.

Ladouceur noted the canine unit SUV replaces a vehicle that was damaged during the flash flood in Estevan last July. The vehicle was damaged while an officer was responding to a call related to the flood, but the vehicle became submerged in water.

The insurance claim was used to purchase of the new canine vehicle. Consequently, the EPS vehicle fleet will remain the same as last summer.

“There’s a certain amount of capital funds that are set aside for updating the police fleet. These are emergency response vehicles, and I think anyone in this community would agree that we want our vehicles to be in top-notch condition and running properly,” said Ladouceur. “We don’t want to be using outdating, old, high-mileage vehicles. Not for front line.”

Once the EPS selects its police dog, a naming contest will take place for the animal. Ladouceur said young people will likely have two weeks to provide a name that they feel best represents the community, the dog itself and the dog’s role.

He’s already heard all kinds of names, such as Thunder and Caesar. They are asking people to provide a reason for their submission.

“It’s important to realize that this dog, it’s not the dog of the Estevan Police Service,” said Ladouceur. “It’s not the dog of the dog handler. This is the community’s dog. This is a community police service, and it’s funded through the community.”

The community has supported the EPS and their programs, and so the EPS wants to thank them by allowing them to name the dog.

Ladouceur predicted the EPS would put a call out in the elementary schools, likely for the younger students, to name the dog. There would be a nice prize for the student who selects the name of the dog that is chosen.

He is confident the canine unit can be up and running this summer.