The use of dogs for police work in the way that we know today began in the
early 1950s when most forces formed specialist sections. Since then their numbers
and duties have increased as their value has been recognised. The exploits of
police dogs have always been newsworthy and in the smaller pre-amalgamation
forces they soon become celebrities. The pedigree German Shepherd has been the
most usual type of police dog but other breeds have been used, particularly
for special purposes. This is a relatively new aspect of police work which
requires particular aptitude on the part of the handlers and inter-force
co-operation which has been evident in the support provided to this force by
the Surrey training school at Mount Browne. The photographs below trace the
development of the dog section in Hampshire from its earliest days to the present.

Of the constituent forces Southampton City was the first to appoint a dog
handler in 1952. This was PC Jack RYLES with Mountbrowne ‘Quaker’ pictured here
on the left. The second handler is PC Ron FRENCH with Mountbrowne ‘Wendy’

Mountbrowne ‘Quaker’ and ‘Wendy’ were the first dogs to be used in Hampshire
with the Southampton City Police. They soon proved their worth not only in
Southampton but also in assisting their neighbours in the New Forest.

A close relationship between the forces was inevitable when Mountbrowne
‘Orris’, a daughter of ‘Wendy’ was purchased by the Hampshire and Isle of
Wight police authority. ‘Orris’ is pictured here with Sergeant H. E. WHITEAR,
PC A. E. MORRIS, and his dog Westhill ‘Jacki’.

After 9½ years of dedicated service age begun to tell on the first Portsmouth
City dog Mountbrowne ‘Ingot’ pictured here on the right with his handler PC John
TOLCHER. The Portsmouth section began in 1957 with two handlers, the second being
PC Joe GARVEY with his dog ‘Knightly Dignity’.

Southampton Police Dog Section 1964.

Left to right: PC Henry Harper and Ajax, PC George Osborne and Vesta, PC George Cordery and Orion, PC Eric Fielder and Wendy.

‘Roddy’ was the first Hampshire drugs dos purchased for £25 in 1972 and trained
to detect cannabis. Eric FIELDER became his handler and together they enjoyed
considerable success in assisting H.M. Customs in their searches of ships.

Hampshire Police Dog Section  – 1988

 

Authorised strength	31
Inspector	1
Sergeants	3
Constables	27

 

This includes 2 full-time Explosive Detection Dog Handlers and 3 on the Isle of Wight.

The photograph was taken on 21^st June 1988 at Bishops Waltham Training Centre.

26 Handlers present:

Left to right: PC’s Yates + Ajax, Owen + Simba, Hall + Kelly, Woolcock+ Butch, Norman + Prince,

Ball + Troy, Doyle + Max, Cruttenden, Stratta + Kurt, Whitear + Hans, Bassett, Gooch + Saxon, Johnson, Kilgallon + Bruce, Clover + Acco, Bass + Zen, Newnham + Dune, Penfold + Quilla,

Copp + Kimber, Proud + Rip

Kneeling: Sgts. Williamson + Wellie, Bareham + Sultan, Cunningham + Jay

Sitting on ground: Explosive Detection Dog Handlers PC’s Wilkinson+ Brendon, Morris +Snoopy

Inspector M.F. Beecham + Earl

As can be seen the Priory is boarded-up on the ground floor, having been closed
since January, 1988. The Dog Section retained an office at the pavilion.