Meet the newest RCMP recruit

A four-footed, furry fellow is the newest addition to the Kelowna RCMP detachment.

Nats has started training on his journey to become a police services dog.

The cute canine, a German Shepherd, joined the detachment three weeks ago at 8 weeks old, born at the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta.

Nats has been partnered with a general duty officer of the Kelowna RCMP.

“The focus of his training at this stage is to become comfortable in all environments including being exposed to new people and different conditions, and of course the most important skillset: how to track suspects. Nats lives with his partner and joins him everyday at work in order to advance his training. Nats is related to PSD Ice who is an active police service dog with Kelowna Detachment as well as retired PSD Talon,” said Const. Solana Pare, media relations officer.

The puppy has already passed his initial training standards at 7 weeks old. Canine recruits start their official training when they are 12 to 18 months old. Just like human RCMP recruits, police dogs can be posted anywhere in Canada following the completion of their training.

The Kelowna RCMP Facebook and Twitter accounts will follow Nats’ journey as he progresses in his growth and training with updated posts and pictures.

You can follow along on Facebook here or Twitter @KelownaRCMP.