Capital duo secure champs

Constable Ben O’Connor and his dog Utah are the first ever Wellington pair to win the top prize and title of National Champion General Police Dog Team since competition began in 1967.

Ben and Utah saw off 10 other teams by being the most consistent across a range of scenarios, calling on just one-and-a-half-years of experience together to win the Frank Riley Cup.

The pair are no strangers to the demanding realities of operational policing, having apprehended 84 suspects in the past financial year.

Soon after the award presentation, the pair was back on the job looking for a prison escaper.

Utah was bred by the Police Dog Training Centre and used as a sire. Utah’s father, Kaz, was also a Wellington Police dog.

The New Zealand Police Dog Section National Championships were held over three days in late October at the Dog Training Centre at Trentham. Winners received their prizes at an award ceremony on 1 November.

Places at the championships are keenly sought as dog handlers throughout New Zealand compete in their own regions for one of only 14 places at the nationals.

Competition is in three categories – General Purpose, Narcotic Detection and Explosive Detection and include dog teams from partner agencies: Aviation Security Services, NZ Customs Service and the Department of Corrections.

First place in the Narcotic Detector category went to Auckland Senior Customs Officer Noel Thorburn and Ice. Senior Customs Officer Michael Walker and Major, also of Auckland, won the Explosive Detector section.

Wellington-based National Champions, Constable Ben O’Connor and Utah. Photo: DominionPost