(St. John’s, NL), October 2, 2018 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Police Dog Services Unit is welcoming it’s newest members.
In September, the RNC’s Police Dog Services Unit welcomed its newest Police Service Dog (PSD) and Handler. Cst. Pat McDonald and PSD “Dali” recently completed a 6-month training program in Innisfail, Alberta at the RCMP’s National Police Dog Training Center. Cst. McDonald, who is in his 13th year with the RNC, has been active within the police puppy raring program for several years and joins the unit from our Operational Patrol Services Division.
Dali is a purebred German Shepheard who was bred and trained through the RCMP’s Police Service Dog Training program. Dali, who weighs 63 lbs, is a high energy, well-trained and exceptional member of the Police Dog Services Unit and she specializes in detecting explosives. Cst. McDonald and Dali join three other Handlers and PSDs on the Northeast Avalon that are instrumental is helping investigators locate vulnerable people, suspects, evidence, as well as many other general duties.
PSD Dali, who is the first female police dog in the RNC’s history, was a generous gift from local businessperson Mr. Jim Hynes. Mr. Hynes has been extremely involved with the RNC’s Police Dog Services Unit since 2015 and has made major contributions to the unit in an effort to help the RNC enhance how we respond to calls requiring police dogs. Mr. Hynes has a passion for dogs and Dali is named after one his own dogs. Mr. Hynes has provided the latest in GPS tracking technology for the dogs and the handlers, FLIR Thermal Imaging cameras, and is in the process of building state of the art dog kennels at the handler’s private residences to securely house the dogs when off-duty with help from other generous community donors.
“Partnerships with community members and business leaders like Jim Hynes greatly enhance our ability to provide the very best service to the community and make a positive impact on the health and safety of everybody in it.” – Chief Joe Boland
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Please see attached two photos or Cst. Pat McDonald and PSD Dali as well as photo of the new state of the art Dog Kennel installed at our handlers homes.
Cst. Geoffrey G. Higdon #819
Media Relations / Social Media Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
1 Fort Townshend, St. John’s, NL, A1C-2G2
Twitter: @RNC_PoliceNL
Facebook: RoyalNewfoundlandConstabulary
709-729-8658