Police teams triumph at the Patrol and Detector Dog Championships

Patrol dog teams from around New Zealand competed for national honours at the New Zealand Police Dog Centre at Trentham this week. They were joined by six of the best narcotic detector dog teams from Police, Corrections and Customs and the top five explosive detector dog teams from Police, Aviation Security Service and Customs.

Wellington Police dog Ox and his handler Senior Constable Ben O’Connor are this year's national police patrol dog champions and winners of the Frank Riley Cup for highest marks overall.

Senior Constable O’Connor, who also won the title in 2007 with patrol dog Utah, credits his success this year to Ox bringing his best on game day and not being phased by anything.

Tasman’s Senior Constable Pete Greenland with his dog Gruff are the runner's up.

Constable Cam Gunn and Zyger from Hawkes Bay were third overall and won Commissioners Challenge Cup for obedience. They also took out the Monaghan Trophy & Bev Labourn-Moynhan Memorial Cup for Highest Marks in Heel Work Exercise.

Senior Constable Max Spedding and Buck from Rotorua took out fourth place with the Christchurch team of Senior Constable Gary Donnelly and Blaze fifth.

Senior Constable Bruce Lamb and his dog Mylo from Christchurch won the Alan Symes Cup for the narcotic detector dog title, and the 'Customs Cup' for the highest marks in locating white powders.

This year's top explosive detector dog champion team and winner of the Aviation Security Shield is Aviation Security Officer Harvey Jefferies and ‘Shadow’ from Auckland who defended their title from last year.

Full results: Patrol Dogs
• 1st place and the Frank Riley Cup for ‘Highest Marks Overall – Senior Constable Ben O’Connor and Ox, Wellington
• 2nd place – Senior Constable Pete Greenland and Gruff, Tasman
• 3rd place and the Commissioners Challenge Cup for Highest Marks Obedience’ and Monaghan Trophy & Bev Labourn-Moynhan Memorial Cup for Highest Marks Heel Work Exercise - Constable Cam Gunn and Zyger, Hawkes Bay.
• 4th place – Senior Constable Max Spedding and Buck, Rotorua
• 5th place – Senior Constable Gary Donnelly and Blaze, Christchurch
• 6th place and the Williams Rose Bowl for Criminal Work Disciplines – Senior Constable Dave Robison and Issac, Whakatane.
• 7th place - Constable Shane Chambers and Bax, Whanganui
• 8th place and the Colin Guppy Trophy for highest marks in tracking – Senior Constable Tim Radcliffe and Quinn, Christchurch
• 9th place - Constable Chay Andrews and Nasa, Auckland
• 10th place - Senior Constable Sue Burridge and Hades, Wellington
• 11th place - Senior Constable Bill Birrell and Hawk, Auckland
• 12th place - Constable Tony Harris and Buddy, Auckland

Full results: Narcotic Detector Dogs
• 1st place and the Alan Symes Cup for the narcotic detector dog title, and the 'Customs Cup' for the highest marks in locating white powders - Senior Constable Bruce Lamb and Mylo, Christchurch
• 2nd place - Senior Constable Phillip Taylor and Murphy, Bay of Plenty.
• 3rd place - Corrections Officer Nic Rongokea and Ben, Central Region.
• 4th place - Corrections Officer John Sharp and Aysa, Northern Region
• 5th place - Senior Customs Officer Debbie Baldock and Jerry, Wellington.
• 6th place - Customs Officer Andrew Bond and Rajax, Auckland.

Full results: Explosive Detector Dogs
• 1st place and winner of the Aviation Security Shield - AVSEC Officer Harvey Jefferies and Shadow, Auckland.
• 2nd place - AVSEC Officer Dean Owens and Nell, Wellington.
• 3rd place - Senior Constable Hamish Todd and Cindy, Wellington.
• 4th Place - AVSEC Officer Martin Thornley and Jade, Christchurch.
• 5th place - Senior Customs Officer Blair Ridgley and Isla, Auckland.

Ends

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