LAC LA BICHE - The residential area around McArthur Place was the backdrop for a police dog training exercise on Wednesday afternoon as RCMP officers — two legged and four — worked through scenarios.
A row of black SUVs lined 100 Street as officers in the RCMP's Police Dog Services (PDS) brought in their specially-trained police dogs from across the province for the regular training sessions.
"PDS work on their skills and conduct regular training to ensure they are delivering a high level of service to Albertans. They do various training exercises throughout the province," said RCMP media relations officer Corp. RCMP Terri-Ann Bakker on Wednesday. "Today, a training exercise just happened to be in the Lac La Biche area."
The exercises drew some attention from passing motorists and residents. The real-life training included dogs and handlers combing several residential streets and alleys searching for "suspects" hiding in mock-search scenarios. Dressed in their field gear, the officers and dogs generated a few calls to the local Lac La Biche POST newsroom and some social media chatter.
Bakker said the realistic training sessions posed no danger to residents.
"There was no risk to the public," she said.
While the Lac La Biche RCMP detachment does not have a police dog service on-site, frequent calls to the Cold Lake or St. Paul PDS units result in the enhanced policing measures assisting local investigations.
In 2017 and 2018, municipal councillor put a significant amount of effort into securing a local police dog service, either through the RCMP or their own community peace officer department, but costs, a relatively low amount of utilization and a lack recommendation by the RCMP not to pursue the project halted the negotiation process.
Provincial access
Bakker says RCMP's PDS units are available to provide support around the clock in all communities served by the RCMP.
"PDS respond to thousands of calls for service and capture hundreds of suspects each year," she said, explaining that the officers associated with the units are experienced police force members. "RCMP dog handlers also support various police investigations with their policing knowledge. Dog handlers are often experienced police officers who can provide insight and advice during various types of investigations."
Some of the regular training exercises carried out at similar sessions across the province will see the PDS teams training to recover evidence, search for people who are reported missing or who have wandered off, search for suspects, and conduct high-risk operations.
Bakker says the unique ability of the animals to find people that investigators can't, allows the police dog services to enhance both public and officer safety.
Over the last year, two Alberta police service dogs were killed in the line of duty another suffered serious injuries after being stabbed.
Across the province, there are 18 police dog service units offering enhanced policing services.
