‘Six months of training’: Medicine Hat police gets new K-9 unit

“Then, it was six months of training in Edmonton.”

Guerra and Frezer, who turns two years old in October, lived in Edmonton during training.

Frezer, a German Shepherd, was born in Hungary and came to the police service by way of Alabama.

Frezer the newest K-9 with the Medicine Hat Police Service turns two in October. Bob Schneider/CHAT News

His role is to ride around with Guerra for general patrol work, apprehend, track, look for evidence, for his general duties.

Guerra said there will be continued learning now for Frezer and the initial training in Edmonton was rewarding.

“They’re working on some of the newest stuff in dog training. It’s kind of updating it for us,” Guerra said.

“It’s been pretty good to get their training, and they’re pretty good at everything they do. It was eye-opening, and hopefully to bring a lot of stuff back here to Medicine Hat to upgrade the unit.”

Frezer is expected to be with the police service for about six years, likely retiring near the age of eight.

He is one of two dogs currently with the K-9 unit, as they look to get back up to four dogs on staff.

Constable Guerra started his career about four years ago quarrying with the Medicine Hat Police K-9 unit.

“That’s just the guy in the suit, taking the bites, working with the previous K-9 handlers,” Guerra said.

“Then from there, you put in your hours to try to apply, and once you get in, it’s generally always been in-house training,” he added.

“For the first time, we sent myself to Edmonton to work with their dog program. They have one of the best programs in the country right now for dog training, so I was pretty lucky to have a position with them for training.”

by Jesse Gill

‘Six months of training’: Medicine Hat police gets new K-9 unit

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