Awards for dog handlers – and their loyal police pups

TWO Essex Police dog handlers have received trophies in recognition of their hard work and dedication to serving the public.

Trophies were presented to PC Sophie Chesters and PC Graham Nuth by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh at Chelmsford headquarters earlier this month.

PC Graham Nuth received the Dog Handler of the Year trophy along with Police Dog Cesar for his hard work and willingness to assist others regardless of the task.

In May 2016 following a report of suspects on a premises, Graham (pictured with CC Kavanagh) attended a building site in Basildon and along with PD Cesar and tracked a local offender to a nearby ditch. The offender was arrested and subsequently charged with burglary offences.

Graham and Cesar have also located five high-risk missing persons in Essex already this year, as well as recovering 62 individual wraps of heroin and crack cocaine after they searched a car.

PC Sophie Chesters and Police Dog Ivy were given the Jasper Cup in recognition of their dedication to serving the public.

PC Chesters was on patrol in Cressing in May when the duo responded to an incident where suspects were on a premises.

On arrival the two suspects fled the scene on foot and Sophie and Ivy tracked the pair for three quarters of a mile.

Determined to detain the suspects, Sophie and Ivy followed them across a river, with Ivy swimming behind the pair. Sophie and Ivy quickly caught up with the soaking wet pair who were swiftly arrested. One suspect was a prolific burglar who was charged and remanded, according to the Essex-TV website.

PC Chesters and Ivy showed bravery and dedication throughout the incident and their perseverance led to a victim of burglary being reunited with priceless personal possessions, the force added.