Milestone win at Police Patrol and Detector Dog National Championships

Today has seen a historic result at the Police Patrol and Detector Dog National Championships, with women winning two of the three categories for the first time. 
 
Northland Constable Elyse Lewis, with police dog Mist, won the Police Patrol category – the first time ever that a female officer has won the coveted prize.
 
As the national champion, Constable Lewis and Mist, who is five years old, take home the Frank Riley Cup. They were also awarded the Commissioner’s Challenger Cup for obedience and the Monaghan Trophy for heelwork. 
 
Constable Lewis’ win comes after a second place result in the competition last year.  
 
“This was the pinnacle of my career,” says Constable Lewis
 
“This has been a goal of mine since becoming operational. To come up against such experienced handlers and win is overwhelming, and a huge personal achievement for me.”
 
Senior Customs Officer Debbie Baldock, from Wellington, won the Detector Dog category, with her dog Ash. 
 
“The championships have been a great experience,” says Debbie.
 
“The best part for me – apart from the win! – was the camaraderie between the competitors and the chance to get to know handlers from right across New Zealand.”
 
The Explosives Detector Category was won by Senior Constable Hamish Todd and Ezak (known as Zak), from Wellington. This is a second win in this category for Senior Constable Todd, who also won in 2011 with his former dog Cindy.
 
“I’ve competed several times, with varying levels of success,” says Senior Constable Todd. 
 
“This is Zak’s first win after three competitions – he’s done us proud.”
 
Senior Constable Owen Davies and Quid, from Tamaki Makaurau, came second in the Police Patrol category; and Constable Cam Gunn and Ezro, from Hawke’s Bay, came third. 
 
Second in the Narcotic Detector category were Senior Constable Chris Harris and Floyd, from Tamaki Makaurau; with Customs Officer Jodie Rye and Anika, from Auckland, in third place.
 
Sapper Sean O’Keeffe with Iris, from NZDF’s 2 Field Squadron, came second in the Explosive Detector category; and Lance Corporal Jeremy O’Shannessy with dog Max, from NZDF’s 2 Engineer Regiment was third. 
 
Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs, says he was once again extremely impressed by the calibre of the teams competing.
 
“Every year the competition seems to get better and better. The teams work so hard to get here and compete at a national level - every single one of them should be very proud of their achievements.”
 
“And I do want to offer a special congratulations to Constable Lewis and Mist, who came first in the Police Patrol category. Constable Lewis’ win is not only very well-deserved, it represents a true milestone in the history of the NZ Police Dog Section, and sends a strong message to any women aspiring to become dog handlers that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and train hard.”
 
The prizes were presented by Assistant Commissioner Bruce Bird and other officials at the Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham this afternoon.
 
ENDS
 
Captions: 
Image 1 – Constable Elyse Lewis and Mist - winners of the Police Patrol category.
Image 2 – National champions - Senior Customs Officer Debbie Baldock and Ash; Constable Elyse Lewis and Mist; Senior Constable Hamish Todd and Zak.
 
 
RESULTS
Patrol Dog
1st  Constable Elyse Lewis and Mist, Northland (Frank Riley Cup, Commissioner’s Challenge Cup for obedience; and Monaghan Trophy for heelwork).
2nd  Senior Constable Owen Davies and Quid, Tamaki Makaurau
3rd Constable Cam Gunn and Ezro, Hawke’s Bay
4th Senior Constable Grant Cooper and Nua, Palmerston North
5th Senior Constable Andrew Douglas and Tomeke, Wellington (and winner of the Colin Guppy Trophy for tracking)
6th Senior Constable Tony Harris and Fagan, Tamaki Makaurau
7th Senior Constable Mick Moorhouse and Tala, Tasman (and winner of the William Rose Bowl for criminal work
8th Constable Dan Turner and Kong, Wellington
9th Constable Kieran Goodhew and Vadar, Waikato
10th  Constable Tom Byrne and Lex, Canterbury
11th Constable Lachy MacDonald and Gee, Southern
 
 
Narcotics Detector dog
1st Senior Customs Officer Debbie Baldock and Ash, Wellington
2nd Senior Constable Chris Harris and Floyd, Tamaki Makaurau
3rd Customs Officer Jodie Rye and Anika, Auckland
4th Corrections Officer Moses Toeke and Maia, Northern 
5th Corrections Officer Clinton Ebersohn and Oscar, Lower North
6th Senior Constable Ross Clarke and Kadee, Tamaki Makaurau
 
Explosives Detector dog
1st Senior Constable Hamish Todd and Ezak, Wellington
2nd Sapper Sean O’Keeffe and Iris, NZDF 2 Field Squadron
3rd Lance Corporal Jeremy O’Shannessy and Max, NZDF 2 Engineer Regiment
4th AVSEC Officer Dean Owen and Maddie, Wellington
5th AVSEC Officer Dave Chait and Bella, Auckland