Four-year-old springer spaniel Paul and Sergeant Craig Roberts, received the inaugural Military Police Dog of the Year Award.

Springer spaniel Paul honoured for six explosives finds. 

A Military Working Dog (MWD) and his handler have been honoured with a special award in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Four-year-old springer spaniel Paul and Sergeant Craig Roberts, received the inaugural Military Police Dog of the Year Award, presented by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, at their base in West London in September.

Paul served at RAF Northolt as an arms and explosives search dog with the Royal Air Force Police.

Throughout his career, Paul searched aircraft, cargo, baggage, and areas ahead of VIP visits. Most notably, the sniffer dog made six operational finds of explosives and ammunition.

Sgt Roberts said: “I was lucky to get Paul straight out of training so I did a lot of extra work with him so I could put my stamp on how he worked. He wasn’t a natural search dog but he trained really well.

“Unlike handlers who work with drugs dogs, who want to make finds, as handlers of explosives dogs you never want to find anything. But Paul has had six finds during his career.

“He was very busy as a young dog, and I recognise that being in the right place at the right time was a factor, but I’m grateful that our hard work, training, and dedication helped him make the most of those opportunities.

“Some dogs can go their whole career without ever having a find!”

Sadly, Paul was unable to attend the award ceremony in London, and is not operational owing to a serious injury to his cruciate ligament.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation travelled to Northolt to officially honour them, with Group Captain Lee Wales, Station Commander, presenting the award to the pair.  

Group Captain Lee Wales said: “Congratulations to MWD Paul and his handler Sgt Craig Roberts. It is a proud moment to see the commitment and dedication of our RAF Police dogs acknowledged in this way. The recognition from the Thin Blue Paw means a great deal to us.” 

Image (C) Thin Blue Paw Foundation.