NINE retired police dogs have received medals in recognition of loyal service.

Police dogs Quincy, Barney, Zip, Buster, Kato, Ralph and Archie were presented with medals engraved with dates of their service at Essex Police Headquarters on Saturday, June 11, 2016.

Two dogs who have passed away since their retirement, police dogs Taz and Reg, also received posthumous medals which were presented to their former police handlers.

Essex Police is the only police service in the UK to honour its retired dogs in this way and the ceremony in Chelmsford is thought to have been the first of its kind.

The medals, which have been funded by Essex Police Federation, were presented by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre, Lady Ruggles-Brise, Patron of the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund, and Linda Belgrove, Chair of the fund.

Dog handler Pc Paul Nicholls came up with the idea after installing a plaque dedicated to the memory and faithful service of police dogs in the Chief Constable’s garden at Essex Police headquarters last year.

Since then he’s been working with Dog Unit Inspector Brad Dickel, Essex Police Federation and the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund to bring the idea to life.

Pc Nicholls has worked with a total of eight police dogs throughout his career including his current general purpose German Shepherd Fidget and drug and blood detection spaniel Ludo.

He said: “Our police dogs work incredibly hard and support their police officer colleagues throughout the career. Therefore it seems only right that their loyal, brave and unfaltering service be recognised.

“It’s important too that we don’t forget those dogs who have died during service so it’s really fitting that their former handlers were able to come along to the ceremony too.”

Dog Unit Inspector Brad Dickel said: “Police dogs deploy with handlers 24 hours a day every day throughout Essex in the on-going fight against crime. The support provided by these outstanding animals across a wide range of specialisms ensures the safety of the public remains an absolute priority. It is only right that every retiring police dog receives recognition for their unfaltering bravery and dedication.”

Linda Belgrove, Chair of Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund said: “We are delighted to have been involved in bringing this initiative to fruition and we will continue to give it our full support.

“The medals are a fitting tribute and a symbol of the recognition that is due to these exceptional dogs who have loyally served the people of Essex.”

Dogs who received medals were:

German Shepherd Quincy served between January 2006 and February 2012 with handler Pc Amanda Pollard as a general purpose police dog.

Springer Spaniel Barney served between April 2004 and February 2011 with former handler Pc Jerry Hill as a drugs, cash and firearms detection dog.

Terrier Zip served between 2007 and 2012 with handler Pc Tony Mayo as a drugs, cash and firearms detection dog.

German Shepherd Buster served between December 2004 and September 2012 with handler Pc Garry Talbot as a general purpose police dog.

Springer Spaniel Kato served between July 2009 and March 2014 with handler Pc Andy Blunt as a drugs, cash and firearms detection dog.

Springer Spaniel Archie served between 2005 and 2012 with handler Pc Paul Nicholls as a drugs and cash detection dog.

German Shepherd Taz served between September 2005 and July 2011 with handler Pc Elaine Michaels as a general purpose police dog. He died in June 2014.

Labrador Reg served between May 2005 and June 2014 as an explosives search dog with handler Pc Dan Elford. He died in May 2016.

Springer Spaniel Ralph served between 2010 and 2013 with handler Pc Amanda Pollard as a drugs, cash and weapons detection dog.