Public invited to Police dog display

Members of the public will have the opportunity to get a special insight into the Police dogs that serve their local community at a Police dog display to commemorate the team's 50 Year Anniversary.

The Police dog display will be held at the Number 2 Field, Rotorua International Stadium between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday 25 June.

Other displays at the event include Search and Rescue, Police Youth Education, Recruitment, the Traffic Alcohol Group (including the drink drive bus), the Armed Offenders Squad, the Criminal Investigation Branch, a prison truck and more. The Baytrust Rescue Helicopter will also be at the display.

The officer in charge of the Rotorua (including Taupo) Police Dog Section, Sergeant Jason Owen, says the team wanted the public to be part of their 50 Year Anniversary celebrations.

"We receive a huge amount of support from our local community, so we wanted members of the public to have the opportunity to be part of our 50 year celebrations."

Sergeant Owen says the dog display will include agility, obedience and some scenarios.

"We don't want to give away too many of our plans for the display, but we can promise that it will be exciting, dynamic and action-packed!"

Sergeant Owen says there are now seven Police dogs and handlers serving the Rotorua and Taupo areas – five in Rotorua and two in Taupo. There is also a dedicated drug dog and handler supporting the wider Bay of Plenty region.

"In 1961 there was just one dog and handler, covering most of the Central North Island including the current Bay of Plenty District, and right down to Taihape and up to Hamilton.

"We have come a long way since that time, but our philosophy remains the same – to support our local community to the best of our ability."

The event will be held from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday 25 June at the Number 2 Field at the Rotorua International Stadium, Devon St West. The dog display starts at 2pm. Entry is by a gold coin donation with all money raised going to the New Zealand Police Dog Charitable Trust.