Calgary Police Service Canine and Mounted Unit badge presentation

The Calgary Police Service is celebrating the certification of four new Police Service Dog (PSD) and Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) teams, along with a newly certified Police Service Horse (PSH) team. A badge presentation ceremony will be held at the Calgary Police Canine Park to honour these dedicated teams and their handlers.

Badge recipients include:

·         PSD Jefe – Const. Ryan Avery

·         PSD Brick – Const. Matt Schapansky

·         EDD Willow – Const. Matt Lally

·         EDD Nemo – Const. Brett Williams

·         PSH Arleux – Const. Travis Westlake

The Calgary Police Service Canine Unit, established in 1960, plays a vital role in frontline policing. With 23 dogs trained for general patrol and specialized detection, the unit is instrumental in locating suspects, evidence, drugs, explosives and human remains. Breeds such as German shepherds, Belgian malinois and Labrador retrievers are selected for their scent detection abilities, work ethic and sociability. On average, these dogs are deployed about four times per shift. All canine unit dogs are trained in-house by experienced officers, who must complete five years of patrol work before applying to the unit.

The Calgary Police Service Mounted Unit has roots dating back to 1910. It was re-established in 1979 and has since evolved into a key component of the Service. Mounted officers perform a variety of duties including patrol, public order management, search operations, and ceremonial roles. The unit also fosters positive community engagement, often drawing interest and interaction from the public.

PSHs are now named in recognition of significant events in Canadian military history, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who have served Canada with distinction.

The most recent addition, PSH Arleux, is a six-year-old Canadian Draft cross gelding named in honour of the Battle of Arleux, which took place in April 1917 during the First World War. The battle was part of a broader effort to dislodge German forces from the French village of Arleux-en-Gohelle. Canadian troops launched a successful mission, ultimately forcing the German defenders to withdraw and securing the village.

Today’s badge presentation not only marks the official certification of these teams, but also celebrates the continued excellence and tradition of service within the Calgary Police Service Canine and Mounted units.