Hero police dog 'saved me from devastating consequences' in struggle with ‘armed’ man, says officer

Hero: PD Eva
Metropolitan Police/@MetTaskforce
Sebastian Mann28 February 2016
WEST END FINAL

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A police dog handler today told how his canine companion jumped from a car to assist him as he tried to arrest an allegedly armed suspect.

German shepherd “PD Eva” barked as she rushed towards the man while the two police officers were attempting to detain him.

Her handler Pc Dave Walters said: “Without her the consequences could have been devastating.”

The 37-year-old police officer of 10 years and his partner Pc Dave Cookson were on patrol in Brent on January 5. Shortly before 4pm they encountered a “suspicious” vehicle, which they approached to investigate.

After the driver stopped, Pc Walters put PD Eva in the back seats of his car but wound down the window before shutting the door.

“I was searching outside while Pc Cookson was taking a look at the interior of the vehicle,” he said.

“We were trying to handcuff the guy. Seeing us struggle, PD Eva dived from the car completely uncommanded and charged at the suspect.”

Companions: Pc Dave Walters with PD Eva
Pc Dave Walters

She jumped at his chest and threw the man off balance, which Pc Walters said gave the officers the chance to detain him. A knife was later said to have been discovered at the scene.

“The reason we were able to arrest him was because of Eva.

“We’re lucky that Eva leaped from the car.

“Without her the consequences could have been devastating.”

The three-year-old German shepherd joined the Met at eight weeks old and has been in active service for 18 months.

According to Pc Walters her actions were a textbook example of what police dogs are taught to do in such circumstances.

He added: “It’s nice to know she’s got my protection at the forefront of her mind.”

A 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been bailed to return to a police station on March 4.

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