Teesside University Assists with Officer Training Course

Officers have been given the opportunity to use a mock court by Teesside University to assist with part of a training course.

Sergeant Mike Smith from West Yorkshire Police Dog Section led the training for Dog Unit officers from Cleveland Police’s Matrix Team and officers from neighbouring forces in the mock court room, focussing around dog legislation on Thursday 15^th February.

The training included scenarios and role-play in a mock court situation, and additionally gave officers training in how to recognise specific breeds and examine the dogs’ make-up.

Inspector Phil Agar from the Dog Unit said: “The use of the mock court-room from Teesside University in our training assists in making the scenarios more life-like, which is great in creating an experience as close to normal circumstances as we can.

“Our officers are often called upon to give evidence in court around dangerous dog legislation and precise breeds; so this has been a useful experience for those who are newly-trained in dog legislation and is something they will take forward and put into use in the future.”

Angela King, Head of Department, Law Policing and Investigation in the University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, said: “It is great to be able to expand upon our existing relationship with Cleveland Police and support their dog legislation training course. 

“In hosting the training course, delegates will be able to gain valuable, real-world experience of giving evidence in court and how to present their evidence in our mock court room.”

Pictured in the mock court room at Teesside University, from left – Stewart Dunderdale, Course Assessor from North Yorkshire Police, and Sergeant Mike Smith, from West Yorkshire Police dog section.