Three of South Yorkshire Police's general-purpose dogs and their handlers highlighted how their presence and skills brought offenders to a halt during a night shift, the force says.
Last Friday night, 6 November, PDs Rocco, Odin and Zeke all supported officers across the force in detaining suspects.
First up was PD Odin, who responded with his handler to reports of a fail to stop in the Shiregreen area of Sheffield. District officers requested the driver to stop, who then following a pursuit attempted to flee and began to assault officers. PD Odin responded to support and quickly had the suspect detained and under control.
Next was PD Rocco, who again responded to support following a pursuit where the suspect had fled. Officers contained an area for PD Rocco and his handler to carry out a search. While walking up steps in the Chesterfield Road area, PD Rocco immediately changed his behaviour and began sniffing the air. With a challenge given by his handler, and a vocal PD Rocco, a man wanted for recall to prisons and driving offences quickly came out from hiding.
With one suspect in handcuffs, it was straight to another incident for PD Rocco, to find a wanted man who had allegedly assaulted a woman before fleeing. After the officer located the suspect's car, PD Rocco's presence ensured a quick compliance from the suspect hiding in the footwell.
In the early hours of the following morning as their shift continued, PD Zeke's presence at a collision stopped a fleeing suspect from a motorcycle. The rider of the motorcycle collided with a car in front of the dog handler as he was driving along Wath Road in Mexborough. Being in the right place at the right time, as the rider attempted to flee the scene, PD Zeke alongside his handler gave vocal challenges and stopped the suspect in his tracks.
South Yorkshire Police said: "Our police dogs and their handlers are an incredible policing asset on our frontline. Their presence brings compliance, the deescalation of suspects and their fierce determination keeps our communities and each other safe."