New Police Service Dogs set to sniff out crime in York Region
Canines added on the 35th anniversary of the unit
Another trip around the sun marked 35 years since the creation of the York Regional Police Canine Unit. To celebrate the milestone, the unit which continues to expand to meet growing demand, added three new Police Service Dogs (PSD) to a talented, relentless and furry roster.
Cezar, Finn and Clutch officially completed their 55-day training course in 2024, making them ready to support the community in a variety of ways.
The dogs have grown up in the public eye—they were named in a poll on social media and had their training process documented and shared online.
The Canine Unit is one of several specialized field support units at YRP. Much like the Air Support Unit, they have a penchant for tracking down criminals, but Police Service Dogs and their handlers have a diverse skillset that includes detection of firearms, narcotics, cadavers, missing people and those who may be in distress due to a mental health crisis.
“When it works and we are successful I am amazed when the dog can just pick up somebody’s scent and pull you into the woods and show you where that person is hiding,” said Constable Robert Mulick, who has served as a handler in the Canine Unit for more than eight years.
PSDs are trained from birth to be working dogs. Animals are often selected to join the service around their first birthdays, which is where the special bond with their handler begins. Their sole purpose is to detect and track subjects while protecting their handler, the only person they engage with, even at home, until they retire.
The Canine Unit is one of several specialized field support units at YRP
