York Regional Police is welcoming two new crime busters to the force already renowned for their ability to track down criminals and sniff out the evidence.
York and Hux were lauded at their graduation ceremony Monday, Jan. 20 at York Regional Police Headquarters, as they officially joined the canine unit.
The one-year-old German Shepherds, both hailing from Slovakia, earned their badges after completing the basic canine training course, which focuses on tracking, building and area searches, evidence location, obedience and criminal apprehension.
Chief Eric Jolliffe provided a few words of encouragement to the rookie members that are joining the unit that now has 15 dogs and 13 full-time handlers.
York will partner with handler Const. Zach Leece, while Hux is teaming up with handler Const. Mark Hansen.
A new Canine Community Partner wall at the Aurora headquarters was unveiled to recognize community members and organizations that have donated money to purchase police service dogs, including Hux.
The YRP canine unit was launched in 1989 with four purebred German Shepherds donated by the Newmarket Lions Club.
The teams are called in to track fleeing suspects, apprehend criminals, search for missing people and evidence and assist in high-risk arrests. They also provide support in the detection of narcotics, cadavers, explosives, firearms and ammunition.
