Retired police dog to live alongside his handler

A police dog who has retired after seven years of fighting crime is to live with his handler and their family.

PD Archer, a German Shepherd, who spent his career detaining suspects and finding drugs, was known for his "fantastic record tracking suspected burglars", West Midlands Police said.

Archer and handler PC Mike Henry represented the force at the National Police Dog Trials in Scotland last year and picked up an award for their "outstanding enthusiasm and greatest determination".

The pair developed a strong bond, the force said, and PC Henry said he was pleased Archer would get to enjoy retirement with his family.

The eight-year-old German Shepherd started his policing career in 2018, after graduating from West Midlands Police's dedicated dog training unit at Balsall Common.

During his seven years of service, Archer found some unique items, including car keys that were hidden in a forest and items from a car used in a fatal collision, a spokesperson for the force said.

PC Henry added that he was "so proud" to have worked alongside Archer.

"It's the perfect time for him to retire, he loves a water fight, playing with the kids in the garden and is partial to sunning himself on a lounger," he said.

Archer's younger brother Axel, has been paired to pick up where Archer left off and work alongside PC Henry.

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