RAF POLICE DOGS ON PATROL (ISBN 1-903953-87-1) traces the deployment of dogs by the RAF between 1942 and 2005, during which time the RAF Police has earned a glowing reputation at home and abroad for the high standard of training exhibited by its dog teams and for its highly professional use of dogs for patrols and specialist duties.
The story begins in 1942, at the height of World War II, when Lieutenant Colonel Baldwin formed the Ministry of Aircraft Production Guard Dog School (MAPGDS) at Woodfold near Gloucester, turning out professionally trained RAF dog handlers which in turn released hundreds of men for war duties who had previously been employed as guards. In 1944 the MAPGDS was absorbed by the RAF Police and re-titled as the RAF Police Dog Training School and from that point on, the RAF Police excelled in the development and training of dogs for police and security purposes.
In 1949, the RAF Police Dog Demonstration Team appeared for the first time at the Royal Tournament in London and became an instant public success. In 1957 the first annual RAF Police Dog Championship Trials were held at Netheravon. In 1969 the Dog Demonstration Team covered 8,000 miles around the USA and Canada giving 65 public performances in 23 cities and became a favourite at every venue.
The RAF began training dogs to detect illicit drugs in 1970 and since 1971 RAF Police dogs on loan to HM Customs & Excise have recovered illicit drugs with a street value of many millions of pounds and are a significant deterrent to smugglers. Dogs were later successfully trained dogs to detect firearms and explosives.
This enjoyable book looks in detail at the development of the special relationship between the RAF Police and their dogs. Illustrated with many photographs, and enlivened by many first-hand accounts from former dog handlers, it is certain to be of great interest to those who served in the RAF, but there is also much to be enjoyed by anyone with a general interest in dogs or in their training and development for police and security purposes.
(See Links Woodfield Publishing for how to order)
The story begins in 1942, at the height of World War II, when Lieutenant Colonel Baldwin formed the Ministry of Aircraft Production Guard Dog School (MAPGDS) at Woodfold near Gloucester, turning out professionally trained RAF dog handlers which in turn released hundreds of men for war duties who had previously been employed as guards. In 1944 the MAPGDS was absorbed by the RAF Police and re-titled as the RAF Police Dog Training School and from that point on, the RAF Police excelled in the development and training of dogs for police and security purposes.
In 1949, the RAF Police Dog Demonstration Team appeared for the first time at the Royal Tournament in London and became an instant public success. In 1957 the first annual RAF Police Dog Championship Trials were held at Netheravon. In 1969 the Dog Demonstration Team covered 8,000 miles around the USA and Canada giving 65 public performances in 23 cities and became a favourite at every venue.
The RAF began training dogs to detect illicit drugs in 1970 and since 1971 RAF Police dogs on loan to HM Customs & Excise have recovered illicit drugs with a street value of many millions of pounds and are a significant deterrent to smugglers. Dogs were later successfully trained dogs to detect firearms and explosives.
This enjoyable book looks in detail at the development of the special relationship between the RAF Police and their dogs. Illustrated with many photographs, and enlivened by many first-hand accounts from former dog handlers, it is certain to be of great interest to those who served in the RAF, but there is also much to be enjoyed by anyone with a general interest in dogs or in their training and development for police and security purposes.
(See Links Woodfield Publishing for how to order)
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