They are chomping at the bit to put their noses to work.
Delta police launched its Traffic Specialty Dog Unit on Monday, an initiative Chief Neil Dubord said has been more than a year in the making.
“I think we were looking for how we might be able to manage some extra traffic enforcement, to be able to manage some of what we know criminals are making their way through our city as well as engaging our public in a more meaningful way,” said Dubord. “The best way we thought we could do that is through a canine unit – and a canine unit that would be working our highways through traffic safety, then looking at the Boundary Bay Airport to Point Roberts border, the ferry terminal and then the ports.”
This new unit is separate from the Lower Mainland Integrated K9 Unit of which DPD has three officers working in, Dubord points out.
He said DPD is now the only municipal department in the Lower Mainland with this type of specialty dog unit.
“When people come into Delta, we want them to say we don’t want to do our business in Delta because the police are active,” added Dubord. “We now have this specialty unit, so if you want to smuggle your drugs through Delta, be aware of that.”
Dubord said the mandate of the unit is to be highly visible on roadways, within other sections of the department and with partners like Canadian Border Services Agency and BC Ferries.
“Our first priority is traffic. Second is intercepting criminals that are using our roadways and then third is public engagement,” the chief said. “This is different than the integrated unit because they are not patrol dogs. They won’t be doing a search for a suspect after a break and enter. More specifically, they will be dealing with drugs and contraband, currency and firearms.”
Officers for the unit were selected in July. The department had 25 applicants, which was shortlisted to 12 and finally to two.
“We had a great response,” Dubord said. “This is a great opportunity for DPD and for our members. In addition, it is great for the community. It really gives us a level up on the types of service they expect from the DPD.”
Const. Catherine Fiddick, a 12-year veteran of the department, is in charge of Ziva, who will be two in March, while Const. Sunny Gahunia, a four-year veteran of the DPD and nine years in the police service (previous five in Edmonton), is in charge of Remi, who is 15 months old.
“I think the interest grew while I was in Edmonton. One of my partners was a canine trainer, so he would always have a dog with us while we were working, so to see that bond and the work that he was doing grew my interest,” said Gahunia. “I just saw this as a great opportunity, so that’s why I threw my hat in.”
Fiddick said as soon as she saw the posting she thought it would be an amazing career challenge.
“You still get to work on those front lines and you are with the public, but you get to do a whole other side of policing searching for drugs with these dogs,” she said. “I love animals and it was a great opportunity to expand my career.”
Both officers received their dogs about a week before training started. The dogs came from Pacific Coast K9, a specialty breeder in Custer, Wash. Both dogs were born in Texas.
“I had never actually raised a pet, so it was a shock for me,” recalled Gahunia. “I was kind of wide-eyed at first because she is very high drive and I thought what have I gotten myself into, but now, four months later, it is the best decision I could have made.”
Ziva is the second dog for Fiddick as she had a few challenges with her first dog.
“I got Ziva on a Monday and eight hours later I was on a ferry to Victoria for the training,” she recalled. “I had just given up this one dog and he was a really great dog and then I get Ziva and she’s great, so it was a whirlwind, but it’s awesome. We have this great bond. She is phenomenal.”
Both officers trained with the Victoria Police Department’s canine unit for 10 weeks.
“I had an opportunity to go over to Victoria and see the training,” said Dubord. “I had no idea how complex and sophisticated the training was. I was really impressed with the level of training that Victoria gave — it was really spectacular. But I didn’t expect the level of nuance that’s required by the handlers in being able to manage these dogs. It was way more complex than I thought. I can see why thousands and thousands of reps are required in order for you to be good at your craft.”
Fiddick said the dogs were totally green before they started training.
“My dog didn’t even know how to sit when I got her, so there was no obedience training at all, which is great, so it starts with the imprinting with these dogs on the drug scents. It is a very repetitive form of training,” she said.
Both dogs are with the officers 24-7.
“She is part of my daily life. If I go on vacation, she is with me,” said Gahunia. “I went up to Tofino for the holidays. She is now part of my family.”
Both officers said they are thrilled to put their training into action.
“We can’t wait. This is a tremendous opportunity,” said Gahunia.
