ARCHIVED - Altea police launch new canine unit
Five-year-old Belgian Shepherd, Oso, is the first four-legged addition to the force in the Marina Baixa, Alicante province.
Altea Local Police has bolstered it crime fighting resources with the launch of a new canine unit which will focus on tackling drug trafficking, possession and use in public spaces.
And the first addition to the squad is Oso, a Belgian Shepherd whose job will be to detect drugs, patrolling the streets, roads and “in those environments frequently used by young people, such as educational centres, leisure areas and parks".
"With this unit, we hope to reduce the number of people who carry or consume drugs or prohibited substances in Altea, in addition to intervening in security controls and vehicle searches where drug possession is suspected," said Local Police spokesman Miguel de la Hoz.
Oso and his handler will also raise social awareness amongst residents through demonstrations in parks, community centres and schools, having completed advanced training at the Valencia Agency for Security and Emergency Response (IVASPE).
Dog units are an increasingly popular addition to police forces, with the ability to detect drugs, explosives and assist in searches, and Mazarrón police in the Vega Baja have been training their new canine colleagues for several months.
IMAGE: Ayuntamiento de Altea