Canine handlers from the Vancouver police and their four-legged crime-fighting partners will be hitting the streets Monday on a new assignment, but it won’t involve the usual criminal takedowns.
The canine teams will be out in full force at West Georgia and Burrard streets from 7 a.m. to noon launching the 2015 VPD Dog Calendar street sales.
All proceeds of the $10 calendars, which feature VPD canine members with well-known professional athletes, including the Vancouver Canucks, benefit the BC Cancer Foundation and the BC Children’s Foundation.
The initiative gives the public a chance to meet the police dogs and their handlers in person, and there’s a bonus: 25 calendars sold on Monday will contain a pair of Vancouver Giants tickets. Three calendars contain a voucher for a signed picture of either the Vancouver Whitecaps, BC Lions or the Canucks Sedin twin’s calendar shot.
Canine officer Blade guards the city by day (VPD Canine Unit)
If you’re wondering, the VPD Canine Unit has 18 handler/dog teams, trained in narcotics, firearms and explosives detection, as well as criminal detection. The teams are made up of 16 constables and two sergeants.
The project is produced by the Candy Anfield Memorial Foundation, which was founded in honour of a VPD officer who lost her struggle with cancer in 2004.
A member of the VPD canine unit. (VPD)
The calendar project raised $21,000 last year alone – and has brought in more than $100,000 for the B.C. charities since its inception.
If you miss the street team from 7 a.m. to noon Monday, you can also purchase the calendars online, or at the following locations:
3585 Graveley Street
2120 Cambie Street
Vancouver Community Policing Centres
Vancouver Police Museum
BC Cancer Foundation
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
Tisol Pet Nutrition and Supply Stores
Granville Island Veterinary Hospital
You can also follow the VPD Canine Unit on Twitter.
Potential K9 unit candidates (VPD)