Day 247 - West Midlands Police - Police Puppy
This super cute photo shows one of our police dogs at 7 weeks of age.
Operational police dogs must have a sound temperament and be bold and courageous - not too aggressive.
They spend a long time training and bonding with their handlers and play a vital role in identifying evidence and offenders.
Chasing and detaining a fleeing person can become a highly-charged situation, so our dogs must be under the handler's control at all times.
Their suitability is also constantly reviewed throughout their working life (usually around eight years).
Learn more about West Midlands Police's Dog Unit on this link: www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/dogs/index.asp
This image forms part of the West Midlands Police 'Photo of the Day 2012' project.