The Windsor Police Service has officially welcomed two new four-legged members to its ranks, marking a significant update to its K9 unit. The new officers, named Smoke and Shadow, graduated this week in a ceremony held at the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury & Police Training Centre in Windsor's west end.
Meet the New Canine Recruits
Smoke and Shadow are not typical family pets. Bred in Europe for a singular, professional purpose, these dogs are highly specialized tools for law enforcement. Smoke, a dual-purpose German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, has joined the Windsor Police. His handler is Constable Rylan Salmon. Smoke fills the role left by K9 Coal, who is set to retire on January 6, 2025, after a long career.
Shadow, an 18-month-old of the same breed mix, has been partnered with Constable Kyle Vince and will serve with the Sarnia Police Service. The training for dogs from multiple services, including Chatham and Sarnia, is coordinated by Windsor police Constable Lance Montigny.
A Bittersweet Farewell to a Veteran
The introduction of the new dogs coincides with the retirement of a respected veteran. K9 Coal, an 11-year-old dog who has served Windsor alongside his handler, Constable Eric Willson, since 2018, is stepping down due to age. Constable Montigny noted that Coal is slowing down, developing cataracts and finding it difficult to clear a six-foot fence.
Despite this, Coal's legacy is one of immense service. "That dog truly gave every minute of his working life to the community," said Montigny. "Those guys have gone to thousands of calls. They've arrested dozens and dozens of people... Our community was safer with that partnership rolling around. It's bittersweet, to be honest."
Rigorous Training and a Professional Partnership
The life of a police service dog is structured and focused. These canines are professional partners, not pets. They live in kennels at their handlers' homes and have limited interaction with the handlers' families to maintain a clear, work-oriented bond. Handlers train with their dogs daily, honing their critical skills.
Smoke, like his predecessor Coal, is a general-purpose dog with dual training. This means he is proficient in tracking human scent for locating suspects, missing persons, or discarded evidence. Additionally, he is trained to detect illegal narcotics, firearms, and ammunition. The selection process for such dogs is meticulous, as not every dog has the drive, temperament, and intelligence required for the high-stakes job. The breeding and sale of these specialized working dogs is a significant industry.
Constable Montigny emphasized the serious nature of their work: "They're our professional partners, and let's be serious, part of their job is tracking and hunting humans." The relationship is kept "very black and white" to ensure peak operational performance and safety.
The graduation of Smoke and Shadow ensures that the Windsor region's police services continue to have a robust and capable K9 unit, ready to track suspects, find missing individuals, and detect dangerous materials, thereby upholding their commitment to public safety.
