Plaque remembers loyal service by police dogs

A PLAQUE dedicated to the memory and faithful service of our police dogs has been placed in the Chief Constable’s garden at Essex Police headquarters.

The plaque, which is thought to be only the second in the country, is engraved with ‘Epitaph to a Dog’ – a poem written by Lord Byron in 1808 following the death of his dog Boatswain.

Blessed by the Essex Police Chaplin and funded internally, the plaque was the idea of dog handler PC Paul Nicholls, who lost his first operational German Shepherd Sabre to cancer during his service.

PC Nicholls said: “As a dog handler, nothing can prepare you for the loss of your dog. It’s something that happens to us all but it’s heart breaking because you become so attached.

“It felt only right that their loyal, brave and unfaltering service be recognised.”

The plaque is now in place in the garden at Essex Police headquarters in Chelmsford, where officers are free to come and go to pay their respects.

Insp Brad Dickel, from the Dog Unit, said: “The memorial plaque is in direct recognition of our past, present and future police dogs who support their police officer colleagues daily.

“It ensures their loyalty, courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The poem on the plaque reads: “Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices.”