Next generation of search dogs named in recognition of police charity

West Midlands Police have named their recent litter of spaniel pups in recognition of its long serving police charity the West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund.

Springer spaniel, PD Hawkins gave birth to seven healthy pups in July, three boys and four girls and the Benevolent Fund were delighted to be offered the chance to name the litter.

In recognition of our police charity’s 50 years of service, a list of possible names was put forward to the police dog unit which included names of members that the charity has helped, members who have made a significant contribution to its work and names that represent the Benevolent Fund.

As the pups prepare to leave the kennels with their puppy walkers and embark on the next stage of their police journey, we wanted to introduced them and the story behind their special names.

Meet the girls;

PD Meredith, is named after 93-year-old retired sergeant, Gordon Meredith. Gordon was instrumental in establishing the Benevolent fund in its early days. In addition to his significant contribution to the police charity, he was also awarded the George Medal for his bravery after pursuing and tackling a gunman who fatally shot his fellow police officer whilst investigating a break in at a gun shop in Coventry over 50 years ago.

PD Charity, an obvious choice for a long-serving police charity like the West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund

PD Hope, acknowledging the hope that the charity brings to members when they receive support

PD Violet, is named after a serving officer’s daughter, Violet in recognition of her courage going through aggressive cancer treatment. Violet’s name is symbolic of many police families who face personal distress and adversity.

Violet left the hospital last Friday to visit the dog unit and to meet her namesake. Her recent diagnosis and treatment have greatly impacted on their entire family so naming a police puppy in Violet’s honour has brought a lot happiness during a very difficult time.

Meet the boys;

PD Torch, in remembrance of the late PC Alex McLachlan (who spent most of his police service as a dog handler) PD Torch was just one of a total of four police dogs Alex worked with during his policing career.  His son, Ian paid tribute to his father’s long service.

“My father moved from his hometown of Glasgow to join Birmingham City Police on the 5 November 1960. It was a police force that had not moved on much since Victorian times.  He was given the number B53, a uniform, a whistle, a truncheon, a cape, and sent out on to his beat without any backup other than a sergeant meeting him at various points; the only way the alarm could be raised if something happened, was if he didn’t meet his sergeant, or return to the station on time. A search for him would then have to start from his last position and could take some time.

“After a short stint on the CID, he transferred to the dog section around 1967.  He stayed a dog handler for the rest of his career working mostly out of Bournville Lane. Over that time, he had four Police dogs: Torch, Rebel, Cralo and Barney.  They all had individual characteristics, but I do remember my father once mentioning that he attended a fight at a chip shop on Bell Lane, Northfield one Friday evening. He took Rebel out of the back of the van but Rebel made it clear to him he was on his own on that occasion, as he decided to finish off the bags of chips those involved in the fight had dropped.”

Ian and his family donated his late father’s funeral collection to the Benevolent Fund. Not only is the name Torch a nod to an essential piece of police equipment but also a symbol of the light given to members of the Benevolent Fund in their hour of need.

PD Knight, has been named after a valued member of West Midlands Police Benevolent, retired officer, Steve Knight. In December 2023, not long after his retirement, 58-year-old Steve was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a debilitating and progressive disease with sadly no cure.

Due to the progressive nature of Steve’s illness, it quickly became apparent that their home was no longer equipped to meet his changing needs.

The Benevolent Fund was made aware of Steve’s terminal illness and following a swift visit to the member’s home, the police charity covered the remaining cost in full of the building adaption work so desperately needed at the family home.

PD Ben, this of course was an obvious name choice that references the Benevolent Fund charity.

Serving officer, Kay Bargewell who also sits on our charity’s Operations Committee is the handler of PD Hawkins, who gave birth to the seven pups.

“On behalf of the Benevolent Fund I want to thank Dave Raymond, Inspector Rachel Crump and the Dog Unit team and kennel staff for their support in naming the litter. I know that Gordon Meredith, Steve Knight and Violet, who have had pups named after them have been deeply touched and honoured by the kind gesture by the force.

“I look forward to hearing about the puppies’ progress and sharing their development with the families in the coming months. I am sure they will be a credit to West Midlands Police and will live up to the very special names they have been given.”